Irko Abdala, 27, and Kim Janes, 36, appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with armed robbery, theft and possessing proceeds of crime.

Janes had her application for bail denied, with Abdala remanded over the weekend before a possible bail application on Monday.

The court heard the couple, who were described as being in a de facto relationship, went to the Marigold Street house of a 20-year-old man about 2pm on Wednesday.

Giving evidence, Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit’s Detective Senior Constable Phil Canny told the court Janes and Abdala had followed the man once he left the house, before Janes rammed her car into his car on Gillies Street.

Abdala allegedly then got out of the couple’s car, jumped in the victim’s car, held a machete to his throat and told him to get out of the car.

“Abdala was ranting at the victim with death threats and waving his machete around at times,” Detective Canny said.

“The victim eventually made his way out of his driver’s side window.”

The court heard the alleged victim then returned and struck Abdala in the head with a rock, before Abdala drove away in the car, followed by Janes.

Detective Canny said the couple went to a service station later that day, allegedly stealing thongs and cigarette lighters.

Then on Thursday, Detective Canny said the same car Janes had driven in the crash the previous day, this time driven by Abdala, crashed into a parked trailer on Bond Street.

Police arrived and found a machete in the rear seat of the car.

Both were arrested not far from the scene.

In applying for bail, Janes’ defence lawyer, Shelley Buchecker, said the police case rested solely on the account of one witness – the victim.

“It’s an unreliable witness. The police case needs further testing at this stage,” Ms Buchecker said.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said Janes had missed court appearances seven times in the past and presented a realistic risk of re-offending if released.

Ms Hodgson refused bail and scheduled Janes to reappear in court on May 23.

Abdala will remain in custody over the weekend, with his lawyers to decided whether to apply for bail on Monday.