A Woonona man awaiting a review of a prison sentence for attacking his girlfriend in October was involved in another altercation with her last week, a court has heard.
Adam Robert Phipps was arrested on Saturday, three days after the alleged incident occurred, and fronted Wollongong Local Court yesterday on three charges, which included contravening a domestic violence order.
It is alleged Phipps flew into a rage at the amount of faeces the couple's pet puppies had left in their house, grabbing the mattress the woman had been sitting on and flipping it.
Police claim the motion caused the woman to fall back and hit her face on a nearby seat, leaving her with bruises to her eye and lip and a lump on her head.
She did not report the incident and police became aware of it only after they were called to the house on Saturday for a separate matter.
Police claim the woman told them Phipps had fled the home when they arrived.
A police dog later found him hiding under the house.
Prosecutor Michael Knight yesterday urged the court to refuse Phipps bail, saying the 37-year-old was already on bail awaiting a district court appeal against an 18-month prison sentence for similar offences. He said Phipps had a history of violence and breaching court orders.
"Police have concern for the safety of the alleged victim," he said. "[Phipps's] behaviour is not consistent with a person who is likely to comply with existing AVO conditions."
Phipps's solicitor Angela Melouney said her client would agree to strict conditions if let out on bail, including living with his father in Thirroul, abiding by a curfew and reporting to police daily.
Ms Melouney claimed there were no witnesses to the alleged victim's version of events, and there had been a delay of three days in reporting the matter to police.
"Whilst his record doesn't assist him [in making an application for bail], it does indicate he's a person who attends court," she said.
Registrar Nicole Hoffmann acknowledged both sides of the case but said she too held concerns for the woman's safety if Phipps was released.
He was remanded in custody and will appear before Wollongong Local Court this morning.