'Grub' accused of stealing quadriplegic man's $30,000 buggy denied bail
A man accused of stealing a young quadriplegic man’s buggy has been denied bail in a Sydney court.
Cranebrook man Michael David Roberson was deemed to be “at risk of reoffending” when the court heard the case.
In a despicable act, Roberson allegedly “rebirthed” the $30,000 buggy, which had been customised for Robbie Reoch after a horrific motorbike crash.
Mr Reoch, 23, was left without the use of his limbs after the 2008 tragedy.
The buggy was considered his lifeline and the only method for him to get around.
The court heard how Roberson allegedly stole the buggy in an elaborate plot, which involved bolt cutters, blow torches and a getaway car on June 5, 2015.
Roberson works in the transport industry and had been found guilty of rebirthing offences in the past.
Mr Reoch’s buggy is still missing, his mother Janet welcomed the decision to keep the accused behind bars as her son had not left hospital since the buggy was stolen.
Mr Reoch told 7 News he was pleased to hear Roberson had been refused bail.
"That's really good... I think he's a bit of a grub," he said.
Police raided properties in Claremont Meadows and Cranebrook this week but only found a trailer the buggy had been sitting on.
A 29-year-old Claremont Meadows man was also charged in relation to the buggy theft and will face court on August 17.
The company that makes the buggy, Polaris, has offered to replace it for Mr Reoch.
