A Canberra man will fight allegations he launched a "frenzied" and "savage" machete attack that a left a man with severe injuries last month.
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The disturbing ordeal was allegedly sparked by a trip by the victim and Ivan Terrence Torbert, 36 of Florey, to Cash Converters to pawn off a mountain bike for rent money last month.
Police say Torbert believed his friend had stolen from him during the trip, and sent a threatening text warning him to be at his house in a few minutes or "be scared".
He is alleged to have tracked the man down to a Watson flat and launched the attack from behind and without warning.
The first swing of the blade severed the man's right achilles tendon.
At one point, the victim alleges he looked up to see Torbert standing with the weapon raised at head height and yelling "you're finished".
The man said he picked up a bike tyre and used it to fend off the attacks, before yelling for help and being aided by his two dogs.
Police say the attack continued, and that one of the blows was so severe it broke off a chunk of bone below the victim's left knee.
Neighbours began to emerge from nearby apartments, and Torbert is alleged to have fled the scene.
The complainant was left in hospital under protective guard, but identified Torbert, whom he had known for six months, as his attacker.
Torbert entered a plea of not guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, before making a second bail application before Magistrate Peter Morrison.
Mr Morrison denied Torbert bail, saying there was a risk he would commit further offences or endanger the complainant.
"Whatever the source of angst was between the defendant and the complainant, that source of angst remains," he said.
Mr Morrison also described the alleged crime as a "serious and savage attack with a machete over what was a relatively prolonged period of time".
Prosecutors had opposed Torbert's release, drawing the court's attention to his criminal history and his failure to comply with past bail conditions.
But Torbert's Legal Aid lawyer argued bail conditions could manage any risk he posed to the complainant.
Torbert, his lawyer said, could live with his mother, and be subject to conditions preventing him from consuming drugs.
He also argued his client had never before breached a condition preventing him to contact a complainant.
Mr Morrison rejected the argument, remanding Torbert in custody.
The case will appear in court again in December.