A 30-year-old man has appeared in court charged with robbery after allegedly stealing a £270 Ninja air fryer at knifepoint in Birmingham. Daniel Roberts is accused of robbing the Ninja DT200UK unit in the city on October 23 last year.
Court appearance via video link
Roberts appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court via video link from HM Prison Stoke Heath for a plea hearing on Wednesday, August 19. The court heard he would not be entering a plea at that stage.
The case was sent to Birmingham Crown Court, where Roberts is due to enter a plea on September 1, because of the seriousness of the allegation. The prosecution said the case could only be dealt with at the higher court "because of the allegation he used a knife".
No comment in police interview
Only brief details of the case were heard during the hearing. The court was told Roberts gave "no comment" answers when interviewed by police about the alleged knifepoint robbery.
Roberts said he wanted to have a defence solicitor after initially appearing as though he would represent himself. Magistrate G. Hidderley told him: "Hopefully, between now and September 1, you will be able to have a proper conversation about the robbery charge you face."
Case sent to crown court
"We're sending it to crown court. It's an offence that can only be heard at the crown court," Hidderley added. "You will attend there on September 1. That will be a for a plea and trial preparation hearing."
