On the morning of August 31 last year, William Mitchell Slater entered the Napier Street shop with a loose brick he picked up nearby.

The 39-year-old slammed the brick on the counter and said to the owner, "If you don't give me all of your money out of the till, I'll smash your face in and throw the brick through the front window", and requested drugs.

The victim took $10 and $20 notes from the till and handed them to Slater, who reached over and took $5 notes out.

Before leaving the shop with $85, Slater said, "I know what's going to happen now, I'm warning you, I'll be back".

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Police found him at a nearby bus stop with the cash, which he said was part of his dole payment.

Slater pleaded guilty to armed robbery in the County Court on Monday in relation to the incident.

In written submissions to the court, Slater's defence counsel said he was a vulnerable person with serious mental health issues, drug dependence and a history of homelessness.

The court was told Slater had a disadvantaged upbringing that saw him begin to use illicit drugs at the age of 10.

Defence counsel submitted that Slater's mental health conditions and impairment played a role in his offending, and this should be considered in sentencing.

It was also submitted the offending was short-lived, spontaneous and no one was injured.

A forensic psychologist recommended Slater undertake residential rehabilitation.

Slater will return to court next month.

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