A Kazakhstan national was charged on Thursday with allegedly robbing a Japanese woman along Claymore Hill. He is said to have committed the offence at 2.50am on Oct 7.

A police news release issued on Thursday stated that Varichenko Kirill, 21, had approached the victim for a cigarette. She handed him a stick and he lifted his skirt to show her a "gun" tucked into his waistband. He is said to have threatened to kill her unless she gave him her valuables. She then handed her handbag and $10 in cash. The total value of items was $110. The "gun" was found to be a toy gun.

Kirill told a district court that he wanted to hire a lawyer. He was offered bail of $20,000 but was unable to find a bailor.

If convicted, he could be jailed for between three years and 14 years and caned between 12 and 24 times.