Finton James, 19, previously of Frankston and currently of no fixed address, appeared in Warrnambool County Court charged with armed robbery. 

He was arrested in Warrnambool last Saturday after failing to appear in court in April last year. 

He is also facing unrelated charges of shop theft and graffiti-related offences.

Those matters will be heard in a magistrates court.

James pleaded guilty to the single charge of armed robbery on Wednesday but Judge Mark Taft adjourned the matter until March 14 for a psychological report to be prepared. 

On August 18 James allegedly attended a hotel in Melbourne's South Morang with a co-accused and a 16-year-old male victim about 3am. 

The hotel was shut so the co-accused drove the group of men to a nearby car park. 

An argument broke out and the victim said he wanted to leave. The co-accused told the victim he could leave if he gave him $10. 

James then allegedly held a pair of knuckle dusters to the victim's face and demanded his mobile phone, a pair of Nike shoes he was wearing and $120 cash. 

Fearful of being assaulted, the victim obliged and passed over the items.

He then asked to call his father who came to pick him up. 

The victim exited the vehicle and James and the co-accused drove off. 

The victim told his father what had happened and they drove to Greensborough police station to report the incident. 

The co-accused was arrested on August 22 on unrelated matters. 

Then on September 13 James attended the Cranbourne police station on request and made "frank admissions" to the offending.

He was remanded in custody for 56 days and later released on bail.

The co-accused is facing trial in May. 

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