A man suspected of up to 30 burglaries at Fyshwick businesses in just four months spoke of breaking the ribs and legs of witnesses if he was released from prison, a court has heard.
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Wayne Donald Barrett faces 23 charges for a range of alleged offences, including burglaries, thefts, police pursuits, using false number plates and driving while disqualified.
Police have linked Barrett, who is banned from driving until 2041, with between 25 and 30 burglaries in Fyshwick between November and March.
Barrett was charged on Wednesday over two burglaries at the Fyshwick businesses of Repco and Anaconda, an adventure store, where he allegedly stole goods worth nearly $10,000.
Police are still working through a haul of allegedly stolen property seized during numerous search warrants, and expect to lay further charges against the 34-year-old.
The court heard there had been a ''significant decrease'' in the number of burglaries in Fyshwick since Barrett was taken into custody two months ago.
Barrett was denied bail by the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, although magistrate David Mossop has allowed him to attend the funeral of his father-in-law in Queanbeyan.
To win release, Barrett first needed to prove there were special circumstances that allowed his bail application to be heard.
His lawyer successfully argued that his father-in-law's recent death was a special circumstance, but the court dismissed Barrett's arguments about the stress and pressure on his partner and five young children, and his claustrophobia and arthritis.
The prosecution opposed bail, warning that Barrett may interfere with witnesses, reoffend, and fail to appear in court.
The court heard that police had been monitoring his phone conversations with his partner while he was in the Alexander Maconochie Centre, during which he spoke of harming witnesses.
The prosecution also argued that he was unlikely to comply with the court's orders, pointing to previous failures to follow conditions that he not drive or be in the possession of car keys.
The court heard Barrett had driven every day for five days while under police surveillance, despite being banned from driving for the next 28 years.
He drove erratically at times, and allegedly fled from police twice, with one chase ending when he crashed into a fence in a residential area.
His partner of 19 years took to the witness box to plead for Barrett to be released to help their family in the wake of her father's death.
She said there was no one else to support her and their five children.
Barrett's lawyer argued the 34-year-old would comply with reporting conditions and a curfew, and said bail requirements could prevent him from contacting witnesses and driving.
The matter will be back before the court on May 16.
