Aaron Millin demanded money from a woman at the Pussy Galore brothel after meeting two women there in March last year.
He had been introduced to both women and when the brothel owner asked whose services he would like to engage, Millin pulled out a knife and demanded money from her.
The owner fled from the room and across the hall to a staff room, where her employees were waiting.
CCTV footage played during a pre-sentence hearing in Victoria's County Court on Monday showed the three women were able to force Millin, still armed, out of the room.
They pushed the door shut and Millin fled after one of the woman shouted out that she was calling police.
The women told police they recognised Millin and that he appeared drunk or drug affected.
Judge Pardeen Tiwana said the experience must have been utterly frightening for the woman Millin thrust the knife at, particularly when he chased her from the room.
He said it was serious offending but there were significant mitigating factors including the man's recently diagnosed intellectual disability and the recent death of his pregnant partner shortly before the incident.
Millin pleaded guilty, made full admissions when arrested and was remorseful, he said.
He told police the attempted robbery idea came up in the room after he realised he left his wallet at home.
Natasha Freijah said her client could not really explain what happened, noting he wasn't in the "right headspace" at the time.
She said he didn't go there to commit the attempted armed robbery, though she did add that there was an aspect of financial motivation given his irregular employment at McDonalds.
"He was there for one reason and, as I understand it, he at some point realised he didn't have enough money to engage the services," she said.
Ms Freijah said Millin required help from his mother managing his daily affairs including his work schedule.
She argued against a conviction, but Judge Tiwana said he believed one should be recorded.
The case will come back to court in April.
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