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A MAN who robbed two people in one of Bendigo's main streets has been released from custody after spending 209 days on remand.
Stephen Paul Ambroso, 28, threatened to stab two men while demanding money from them on Pall Mall in the early hours of March 29.
He pleaded guilty in Bendigo Magistrates Court last month to two counts of robbery and one charge of intentionally damaging property, but the case was adjourned to obtain a psychiatric report.
The court heard Ambroso was with a friend when he encountered the two victims around 1am and stole $55 from them, placing his hands in his front pockets to make them believe he had a knife.
He then tried to hide in the Shamrock Hotel before being thrown out by security staff and then fled on foot into Hargreaves Street.
About 10 minutes later he saw his friend arguing with a group of males including the victims, who were demanding the return of their money. He denied robbing them but was arrested by police.
The court heard he was arrested just one month after being released from Fulham Prison.
On Friday, defence lawyer Kate Youngson told the court her client had made huge progress while he was in custody and had complete several education courses.
She tendered a letter Ambroso wrote to Magistrate Richard Wright, and urged him to release her client with a community corrections order, arguing the 209 days spent in custody were adequate punishment.
Mr Wright said Ambroso seemed to have spent his time on remand well and noted the lengthy time he had already spent in custody.
He released Ambroso and ordered he complete a 12-month community corrections order requiring unpaid work as well as treatment for mental health and drug abuse issues.