Jaydan Robert Follington shook his head in the dock of Tamworth Local Court on Monday afternoon after his bid for bail was refused by magistrate Julie Soars.

The 18-year-old faces a maximum of 25 years if found guilty of robbery armed with a dangerous weapon, and armed with intent.

The court heard Follington was already on conditional bail for shoplifting a $40 electric toothbrush and possessing a prohibited drug.

Solicitor Yvonne Phillipos said her client “had a very difficult upbringing”, and had “significant drug issues which needs to be addressed”.

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She said since he was refused bail on Saturday in out-of-sessions court, “his first time in adult custody” had been “quite frightening for him”.

Ms Phillipos argued Follington would spend a “significant” time behind bars waiting for a brief of evidence, and his case to be heard in the district court for trial or sentence, because of the court delays.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Baillie said Follington had not shown cause for his release – required under the bail act test – and it was “a strong prosecution case”, a “very serious matter” and the delays weren’t unusual.

“It’s just an inevitable delay, isn’t it?” Ms Soars replied.

Ms Soars told the court “they are very serious charges” and “it doesn’t seem to me that there is undue delays”.

“I’m not prepared to find that cause has been shown, so I have to refuse Mr Follington bail,” she said, adjourning the case to mid-April to allow detectives to compile a brief of evidence.

Following the decision, Follington shook his head and told family in the court to “come and visit”.

Follington was arrested by Tamworth detectives during a raid on a Central Avenue home on Friday.

He’s been behind bars since, accused of using a machete to rob a man using an ATM at the Robert Street Shopping Complex on February 12.

The 35-year-old victim wasn’t injured in the 3.50pm robbery when he was confronted from behind, but handed over the money before Follington is accused of fleeing.