Michael Aaron Le Clair, 27, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to two offences relating to the alleged ordeal, which police believed was linked to thousands of dollars in lost drug money.

The crimes were alleged to have occurred in late December, after Le Clair's co-accused gave money to the victim to source three kilograms of marijuana.

Police believed the victim in turn asked a supplier, known only as ''Big G'', for the drugs.

''Big G'' picked up the man's money, police said, but drove off without handing over the drugs.

Prosecutors alleged Le Clair and his co-accused came to the complainant's home, put a knife to his neck, and later dragged him to the back seat of their car.

At one point, the debtor was able to run from the car, but Le Clair allegedly ''sicced'' his dog onto the man to bring him back.

The men are accused of driving him down a dirt track to a clearing in bushland outside the ACT, where they allegedly tied him to a pole and beat him with baseball bats.

The men are also alleged to have discussed cutting off his fingers, tattooing a dog on his face and breaking his legs.

Police said the pair left and the complainant found a nearby property owner and asked for help before passing out.

Le Clair was not arrested for a month, and was not charged with the two offences of assault and unlawful confinement until early March.

He made his second attempt to be released on bail on Wednesday, which was opposed by prosecutor James Walker.

Mr Walker said the prosecution feared Le Clair would reoffend or try to interfere with evidence and witnesses if released.

But Le Clair's solicitor argued he had not interfered in any such way in the months between the alleged date of the offences and the charges being laid in March.

She said Le Clair had a limited criminal history, no record of failing to appear before court and that police had completed their investigations, leaving little to be interfered with.

The court heard his mother would provide an address for him to live at and a surety, and that Le Clair would resume his mobile cafe business. She said Le Clair could also be barred from contacting witnesses or the complainant, and prevented from taking illicit substances or being in Civic at night.

Magistrate Peter Morrison denied Le Clair bail without hearing submissions from the prosecution.

Mr Morrison said the allegations, if proved, were likely to result in imprisonment.

He said there was significant evidence of Le Clair's involvement in the drug trade and his use of violence in such dealings.

That, the magistrate said, gave rise to the likelihood he would reoffend or endanger persons related to the proceedings.

Le Clair will be back before court in next month.

He was also charged on Wednesday with drug trafficking, relating to the discovery of cannabis during a search of a home in Canberra's south.