Willem Hennessy, 27, and Rougen McLoughlin, 20, were also charged with intentionally causing serious injury after Mr McLoughlin allegedly shot the man with the sawn-off shotgun during the incident, leaving him “gravely injured”.

Detective Senior Constable Kevin Squires of the Armed Crime Squad told the court the victim was still being treated in the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Tuesday and there was a “significant chance” he could lose his right leg.

The court heard the two accused men left Bendigo in the early hours of December 8 after allegedly discussing the plan to rob the man in Kurunjang, in Melbourne’s outer-west.

Following the men’s arrest on Monday, Senior Constable Squires said Mr McLoughlin quickly became “extremely co-operative” and provided a statement about the night’s events police believed to be truthful.

He said Mr McLoughlin told police Mr Hennessey told him he was going to steal the drugs, money and car from the man and asked him to “watch his back”, to which Mr McLoughlin agreed.

The pair then allegedly went to the house of an associate from whom Mr Hennessey obtained methamphetamine, saying he would give him a car in exchange for the drugs.

Mr Hennessey and Mr McLoughlin then drove to Melbourne in a stolen Madza CX9 while Mr Hennessey injected the drugs and allegedly handed the shotgun to Mr McLoughlin, telling him to stay in the car until he gave the signal to jump out and rob the man.

The court heard Mr McLoughlin said he told Mr Hennessey he did not want to do so and that he did not know how to use the gun, but Mr Hennessey allegedly threatened to bash and shoot him if he did not and pulled over to show him how to fire the weapon.

When the two men arrived in Kurunjang Mr McLoughlin waited till Mr Hennessey used the “code” words “have you got the money” before jumping out of the vehicle with the shotgun and demanding money from the victim who “simply laughed”.

Mr Hennessey then allegedly punched the victim and Mr McLoughlin allegedly shot him in the right knee causing him to fall to the ground.

The two men then fled the scene and returned to Bendigo, Mr McLoughlin in the victim’s Holden Colorado and Mr Hennessey in the Madza.

Senior Constable Squires said Mr Hennessey admitted to being present during the shooting but denied orchestrating it.

In denying bail to Mr McLoughlin magistrate Peter Mithen said he took into account his age and the fact he had co-operated with police but he was not satisfied Mr McLoughlin posed an acceptable risk if released.

Mr Hennessey did not apply for bail and the pair will return to court on March 15.