One of two young men accused of committing a series of violent robberies against Asian university students has pleaded not guilty to several of the charges against him.
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He has admitted two other offences, on a separate weekend.
Darren Hubert Scott, 19, faces four alleged offences of aggravated robbery and one of obtaining property by deception allegedly committed over a week in October.
It's alleged Scott and a co-accused targeted students at the University of Canberra and the Australian National University, who were walking or cycling alone at night.
On Thursday, Scott pleaded not guilty to three of the five charges, including obtaining property by deception.
His lawyer Tom Taylor said while Scott denied those offences, allegedly committed on one weekend, he had admitted to two other offences committed on a different weekend. Mr Taylor indicated pleas of guilty would be entered on the charges.
It's the man's first time before the courts, Mr Taylor said as Scott applied for bail again in the ACT Magistrates Court.
But Special Magistrate Maria Doogan said everybody starts somewhere.
"Most people don't start the way this young man has started.
"He's only 19, and as I've said, it's a very serious way to start his criminal life, or life as a criminal.
"It is seriously criminal behaviour."
Ms Doogan refused the man bail, saying that however uncomfortable he may be in the Alexander Maconochie Centre he should get used to it.
"He's in the big time," she said.
She noted the prosecution case was not a weak one.
Prosecutor Brian Ngugi told the court police investigations were continuing on five further alleged offences.
In refusing bail, Ms Doogan said it was highly likely Scott would face time in jail for the aggravated robberies, which carry a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.
She said the offences were serious, and noted at least one person had been hospitalised as a result of a robbery.
Scott's co-accused, who at 17 cannot be named, had on November 3 been refused bail. Another co-accused, also aged 17, who allegedly drove a car in the offences, has since been granted bail, the court heard from Mr Taylor on Thursday.
The case is due to return to court in January 2017.
