One half of the duo who allegedly robbed a Wollongong discount store at knifepoint during a Halloween-themed hold-up last year had a warrant issued for his arrest after failing to get to court on time.
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When he finally did turn up, Michael Levett blamed a sleep-in for not being in Wollongong Local Court when his case - and that of co-accused, Hope Malfitano - was mentioned on Wednesday.
Earlier, Levett's legal representative alerted the court to his non-appearance, despite Supreme Court bail requiring him to attend, and that he had twice been booked for a psychiatric assessment but couldn't be located.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart said the case was "very serious" and a warrant for Levett's arrest should be issued.
The court then heard Malfitano's case, and a number of others, before Levett appeared some time later.
Asked by the magistrate why he wasn't in court earlier, Levett said: "I slept in."
"Half your luck," Magistrate Stoddart replied. "I've already issued a warrant for your arrest on an armed robbery charge."
Levett told the court he didn't have his solicitor's phone number, and it was handed to him in the court. His bail was continued.
"You've got to be here at half past 9," the magistrate said.
Malfitano appeared via video-link, with her case adjourned so her fitness could be assessed by a psychiatrist.
Police allege Malfitano and Levett pulled scary masks over their faces before robbing a cashier at knifepoint inside the Lucky Shop Sydney store on Crown Street in October.
The city's network of CCTV cameras allegedly captured the couple fleeing to a nearby pub, stopping occasionally to collect fallen cash notes along the way.
Police allege they were feeding the stolen takings into poker machines when arrested at gunpoint a short time later.
The pair return to court on July 10.