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

The alleged crimes occurred in late December last year, after Le Clair’s co-accused gave money to the victim and asked him to source three kilograms of marijuana.

Police believe the victim in turn asked a supplier, known only as ‘‘Big G’’, for the drugs.

‘‘Big G’’ came and collected the man’s money, police say, but drove off without handing over the drugs.

Prosecutors allege Le Clair and another man 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 before managing to bring him back.

They 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 alleged to have discussed cutting his fingers off, tattooing a dog on his face, and breaking his legs.

Police say the pair left and the complainant found a nearby property owner, asking for help before passing out.

Le Clair was not arrested for just under 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 re-offend 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 crimes and the charges being laid.

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.

Le Clair could also be barred from contacting any 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 that he would reoffend or endanger persons related to the proceedings.

Le Clair will be back before court in mid-May.

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.