Jamie Dalton was on parole for gun offences when he approached the pair at a park in Barrack Heights on the morning of September 1 last year and asked if they had $2 to give him.

The couple, who were waiting for their car to be serviced at Blairs Tyres across the road, told Dalton they had no money on them and began walking back to the tyre shop.

Dalton followed them, saying “come on, I haven’t eaten in two days, I really need something to eat.”

The couple said about 30 seconds after asking for money, Dalton  he pulled out a sock, weighed down with rocks, and told the woman “tell him to give me his wallet or I’ll cave his head in”.

The man said “I don’t want any trouble, I don’t have a wallet on me, just leave us alone.” Dalton then swung the sock towards the man, at the same time telling them he’d just gotten out of jail.

The couple crossed the road and began walking south on the footpath. They were followed by Dalton, who kept asking for money while swinging the sock at his side. 

The man told Dalton “unless you want to go back to jail I’d turn around and leave us alone. Look don’t get any closer, I’ll give you two dollars if you just go away.”

The man threw Dalton four 50c coins and he turned around and left.

The victims contacted police, who tracked Dalton down outside Vinnies at Warilla. Dalton ran off when he saw the officers but was arrested a short time later in the grandstand seating of King Mickey Oval.

During his arrest he dropped $2.90 worth of coins, including four 50c coins, on the grass.

Dalton was charged with assault with intent to rob, to which he pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court.

The magistrate imposed a maximum sentence of 15 months, with a non-parole period of 7 months.

With time served, he will be released on March 31.