Tane Chatfield appeared via video link in Armidale Local Court on Monday. 

Chatfield was convicted in his absence when he failed to show up for a Tamworth hearing.

A warrant for his arrest was issued on three offences dating back to May, including custody of a knife in a public place, having goods suspected of being stolen and possession of a restricted prescribed substance.  

The 20-year-old faces eight charges in total including aggravated break-and-enter, robbery in company causing grievous bodily harm and common assault, but has not been required to enter a plea in court. 

A brief of evidence for charges relating to the break-and-enter, which occurred in the city will be dealt with in Armidale Local Court next month. 

The defendant is accused of being one of four armed offenders who forced their way into a MacDonald Drive home on September 5. Police allege the group threatened the occupants and their baby before stealing cash and jewellery. 

 Chatfield was captured by Armidale detectives sleeping in a Drummond Avenue home on the morning of October 13.

Defence solicitor Jane Waddell said her client had a “shocking upbringing” which “seems to have defined his life”.

She said her client had been a heavy user of the drug ice from the age of 17, taking up to 0.7 grams of the drug a day. 

Magistrate Stafford sentenced Chatfield to three months in jail for the charges.