Defence lawyers for a Gordon man accused of robbing someone at knifepoint in Haig Park say the alleged victim made up the story after he was sold sugar instead of drugs.
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A jury at the ACT Supreme Court on Monday heard that a man who told police he was robbed by Ivan Stephen Djerke, 41, wanted his money back, and took a dog from the accused man's daughter and sold it for repayment.
But prosecutor James Walker told jurors in opening the trial that Mr Djerke, who pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery, held a knife to the alleged victim and demanded money in the early hours of March 3 last year.
The alleged victim left his home with his partner at Northbourne Flats in Braddon and withdrew money from an ATM at about 3am, the jury heard.
Giving evidence to the court, the alleged victim cried as he described the events, saying they left him terrified.
He was carrying $170 and walking home with his partner when they saw Mr Djerke in Haig Park, and rebuffed him when he demanded money, the court heard.
Mr Djerke said, "Mate, I'm cranky now, hand it over" and pressed a 10cm pocket knife to the alleged victim's stomach before taking his money and leaving, it was heard.
The accused man had been staying with the alleged victim, Mr Walker said.
Defence counsel James Stewart told jurors there was no robbery but a voluntary transaction.
The alleged victim in fact handed over $150 for a substance he thought was methamphetamine, or ice, but later found was sugar, Mr Stewart said.
"The story was cooked up, because you won't be surprised that if you're sold sugar instead of ice, there's no-one you can complain to," he said.
The trial continues on Tuesday.
