When the man managed to make it back to his Derby St home about 11.30pm, Owen Skinner, 21, kicked in the door and continued to assault him, police allege.

The man and his wife sustained cuts and bruising and were treated and released from Wollongong Hospital that night. However, the man was later re-admitted and was in a stable condition yesterday.

Skinner appeared in Wollongong Local Court yesterday charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, aggravated break and enter with intent and intentionally destroying property.

During Skinner's bail application before Magistrate Paul Johnson, police prosecutor Aaron Wunderlich said the level of violence used in the alleged attack was concerning.

He said the elderly man and his wife lived across the road from the house that Skinner and his friends were at on the evening of the alleged attack.

"The accused, if convicted faces up to 14 years' imprisonment," he said.

"The victims are both in their 70s, they are frail and not in the best of health.

"(The elderly man) went to the house and asked them to turn the music down. On the way back he was assaulted.

"Because of that level of violence, we have real fears for the safety of the victims."

The court heard Skinner was intoxicated at the time of the alleged attack.

Skinner's Legal Aid Commission lawyer told the court he could reside with his mother in Nottingham St, Berkeley, and abide by the apprehended violence order issued by the court.

The court heard that although Skinner had a criminal history, he had never failed to appear at court.

He was granted bail on the condition that he not drink alcohol or enter licensed premises, and live with his mother.

He is due back in court on December 10.