James Thorn, 25, is facing the ACT Supreme Court for two charges of assault, and two charges of theft committed in April last year.

Thorn had travelled with three of his good friends - who he had known for 15 years - to Sydney.

The trip came just days after he had been released from Canberra's jail on parole for other offences.

But the journey took a turn for the worse when Thorn and his friends had a falling out.

The friends left Thorn stranded in Sydney, and returned to Canberra without him.

The 25-year-old came back to Canberra on April 4, the court heard, and confronted his friends.

He grabbed the throat of one woman, after she began "laying into him", and broke another man's nose.

Thorn then took an Apple MacBook Pro, and a shoebox containing a pair of shoes and $450.

He was arrested on April 13 last year, and has been in custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre since.

Thorn appeared before the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday for a sentencing hearing.

The Crown - represented by prosecutor Mark Fernandez - said the court needed to consider the protection of the community, punishment of Thorn, and general and specific deterrence when sentencing Thorn.

It also noted that the offences were committed shortly after Thorn was released on parole.

Justice John Burns will sentence Thorn at a later date.