Vani Sione, 25, has been charged with two counts of assault, one of unlawful confinement and one of recklessly causing property damage after he allegedly kicked in the door to his girlfriend's Belconnen unit about 3.30am on Friday.

The ACT Magistrates Court was told on Saturday that Sione - after breaking into the property - assaulted his partner and confined her in a bathroom, before later returning to the apartment about 7.45am and punching the woman in the face.

It is alleged Sione was highly intoxicated at the time of the alleged attacks. A blood-alcohol reading of 0.13 was recorded at a police station after his arrest.

A police constable told the court that the Papua New Guinean national had been sleeping on his girlfriend's couch since January and couch-surfing since at least November.

He said multiple attempts by the woman to end the relationship were thwarted.

"The victim is scared," the constable explained.

"She said she had tried to leave on many occasions, but was greeted with threats of violence on each occasion."

The court also heard the woman had been threatened with violence if she went to the police.

Prosecutor Diana Likeman objected to bail on the grounds that Sione was likely to reoffend, interfere with the alleged victim and fail to appear at a future court date.

The duty defence lawyer said Sione had been living in the ACT with cousins for about 10 years, and was prepared to surrender his passport.

Magistrate Peter Dingwall refused bail, citing concerns the defendant would commit further offences and make contact with his former partner.

The matter returns to court on April 15.