The man was arrested in the Canberra Hospital on Friday night and later charged with 10 offences, five each related to sexual intercourse and acts of indecency with the girl between March 27 and July 1 this year.

Each offence was alleged to have occurred in the defendant's home, where he lived with the girl, her mother and others. Other children were usually in the house and on some occasions in the same room as the man and the 13-year-old at the time of the alleged acts.

Court documents said the girl did not say anything after the first incidents because she was scared of the defendant, as he had a temper and had previously been violent, punching holes in the wall. He also asked the girl not to say anything or tell her mother.

Prosecutor Petra Halova opposed bail on grounds the defendant was likely to reoffend and harass or intimidate witnesses, as well as due to fears for the man's safety.

Ms Halova said the man had been apprehended by police on July 15 with five knives in his car.

Duty defence lawyer Dean Ager said the defendant ran his own business and was in the process of seeking help through a psychiatrist, although no bookings had been made.

Addressing the claimed risk of reoffending, Mr Ager said the alleged crimes had occurred in a family environment from which the man was now removed, with the relationship with the girl's mother ended. Mr Ager said the defendant's business would in future serve only adult clients, if granted bail.

Magistrate Robert Cook refused bail, saying the seriousness of the allegations and the potential of self-harm by the defendant, and related harm to others, meant he could not be satisfied bail conditions would be adequate. The matter returns to court on August 4.

Lifeline - 13 11 14.