An accused robber who allegedly pressed the jagged blade of a knife into a man's neck before he stole his iPad and fled days after he was released from prison has been remanded in custody.
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Thomas Caton, 30, was allegedly high on the drug ice and police had to use batons and OC spray when he was arrested in Canberra's south the day after the violent incident, the ACT Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday.
Mr Caton was charged with aggravated robbery and dishonestly riding in a motor vehicle. He pleaded not guilty.
Police allege he and another man had shone a light into the eyes of a man who had been sleeping in his car parked near Marist College in Pearce about 12am on Monday.
The pair had yelled at the man to hand over his wallet and grabbed his iPad.
Caton then allegedly brandished a 10 to 15 centimetre knife with a jagged edge and touched the blade to the man's neck as he demanded he tell him the password for the device.
The man, fearing his throat would be cut, told the pair his password.
His alleged attackers fled in a silver Hyundai police allege was stolen from a Jerrabomberra residence on March 17.
The alleged victim reported the incident to police at Woden that day.
Police noticed the car in Wanniassa the next day and said they found the alleged offender asleep inside when they approached the vehicle in the Erindale shops carpark a short time later.
He allegedly had a long knife in his lap, which police tried to flick away before the accused got out of the car and tried to escape.
Caton allegedly thrashed his body around to avoid arrest before police managed to restrain him.
He was taken to the ACT Watch House. The court heard he had taken large quantities of ice and was suffering withdrawals.
Caton applied for bail through his Aboriginal Legal Service lawyer, arguing he had strong ties to the ACT and was willing to report regularly to police if released.
Bail was opposed by the prosecution on grounds he was likely to reoffend or could endanger the safety of the community or victim.
Magistrate Beth Campbell noted Caton's alleged crimes took place days after he was released from jail for a parole breach and at a time "when you would expect his resolve to not commit further offences would be at its highest".
"Within a week of being released it appears he's been taking drugs and becoming intoxicated by them," she said.
She refused bail. The case returns to court in May.
