A NSW man allegedly repeatedly rammed a car and then attacked it with a machete during a northside road rage incident on Monday morning, a court has heard.
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But Darcy James Saxon Mackenzie, 45, has categorically denied the allegations in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday.
Mackenzie admitted he had damaged the car's side mirror during the incident, but told the court it had been in response to his car being rammed.
The New Zealand national was refused bail on charges of menacing driving, assault, and property damage.
He entered pleas of not guilty.
The court heard the alleged victim had been driving into Canberra from Goulburn on the Federal Highway when a black station wagon rammed him from behind a number of times about 7.20am.
The motorist tried to get away but was allegedly pursued by Mackenzie, who forced him off the road by colliding with the side of his car.
Mackenzie is accused of then attacking the car with a machete, hitting the bonnet, roof, side mirror, and smashing the rear window. Mackenzie allegedly then pursued the man again.
The alleged victim called the police, who arrested Mackenzie about 7.30am. But the defendant, who represented himself, told the court the other motorist had pulled in front of him and slammed on his brakes, causing the collision.
Mackenzie said the man then crashed into the side of his car.
Mackenzie applied for bail, but the prosecution opposed the application on the grounds he could commit further offences or not reappear to answer the charges.
The prosecutor said Mackenzie could fail to reappear in court as he held a New Zealand passport and lived in Charlotte’s Pass.
The court heard Mackenzie had four aliases in NSW, which police needed more time to probe.
She said the allegation had been of an unprovoked attack on a person unknown to the defendant and the court should be concerned the behaviour could be ongoing.
But Mackenzie said he had recently changed his surname from Jones as he had been adopted as a child.
The court heard Mackenzie had a one year contract as a manager at a Charlotte's Pass ski lodge until next year.
He offered to report to Perisher police station if granted bail.
But Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker refused the application, citing her concerns for safety of the community as the allegations had been of an unprovoked attack.
The defendant is expected to make a second bail application later this week.
Police urged witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.
