Accused fish and chip shop robber 'a danger to society'
LATEST: A Hervey Bay dad who was denied bail when he faced court for attempting to rob a fish and chip shop has been taken to hospital.
Mark John Dobson was complaining of chest pains, so police called an ambulance and he was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital for medical examination.
Police followed the ambulance as it took the 50-year-old father of five to the hospital this afternoon.
EARLIER: A father of five accused of trying to rob a fish and chip shop earlier this month and getting tackled by the store's owner has been branded a "danger to society".
Mark John Dobson was denied bail in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where he appeared on charges of robbery in company and attempted robbery.
Magistrate Graeme Tatnell said the prosecution had a strong case against Dobson, who had only recently completed a parole order and was still on a suspended sentence for a previous crime.
"In my view, he is a danger to society that if released on bail he is likely to commit further offences," Mr Tatnell said.
Police allege Dobson, 50, entered Fraser Shores Seafood with a co-offender, both wearing balaclavas, on November 2 and attempted to steal the store's cash register.
Store owner Colleen Gamble made national headlines after she thwarted the robbery by tackling one of the masked bandits and throwing him towards a vat of hot oil.
The offenders fled, but stole the handbag of a staff member as they took off.
Dobson was in a relationship with Ms Gamble's daughter, the court was told.
He was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after police received DNA evidence that allegedly linked him to the robbery.
Magistrate Graeme Tatnell asked to read the statement of a key witness in the case, but would not provide details to the court, as he said the investigation was ongoing.
"The prosecution has a very strong case and that is all I intend to say about it," Mr Tatnell said before remanding Dobson in custody until at least January 2013.
Dobson became agitated and stood up in the dock when Mr Tatnell refused his bail.
He turned to the magistrate and stated "f*** you", which was followed by further abuse.
"Well you're the one going off to jail," Mr Tatnell said.
Dobson will reappear in court on January 10.
