Unanderra man Michael Paul Ryan, 40, had been living with the woman in her home in Panania, in south-west Sydney, since being released from jail in May this year when he allegedly took offence to the woman's love for her cat one evening in June.

"F---ing cat, they are disgusting animals," he allegedly said as the cat jumped onto the woman's bed while she was watching television.

"Get it off the f---ing bed."

Ryan then threatened to harm the animal.

"I am going to kill it, and if it comes near me I'm going to break it's f---ing neck," he allegedly said.

The woman told him to stop being an idiot and accused him of being jealous of the cat, allegedly prompting him to flick the blanket the animal had been sitting on, sending it flying across the room.

The woman told him she'd had enough and wanted him to leave.

Police allege Ryan stood over her in an intimidatory way, before grabbing her by the throat and squeezing hard.

He then pushed her onto the lounge with force, police claim.

The woman got up and walked out of the house to the front yard where she tried to call triple 0.

However, the man followed her outside and snatched the phone from her, smashing it on the ground.

The woman then ran back to the house, locked herself inside and contacted police.

Ryan was arrested five days later and charged with assault and intimidation matters.

He was convicted in his absence after failing to turn up to court, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Ryan was apprehended on Sunday in Bellambi and fronted Port Kembla Court on Monday seeking bail.

Registrar Nicole Hoffman refused to release Ryan, noting domestic violence on his record and the likelihood he would be jailed if he accepted the convictions and did not apply to have them overturned.