A wanted man arrested in a high-charged police operation in Wollongong has been refused court bail on account of his shocking criminal record.
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Ronnie Thomas was wanted on an outstanding domestic violence warrant when he allegedly ran from police in the Crown Street Mall on Friday evening, initiating a foot chase and search involving general duties officers and the force's dog squad.
He was eventually discovered hiding under a bed in a unit on Bank Street.
Court documents said Thomas was known to have carried a knife in the past, prompting officers to take precautions when they arrested him, immediately cuffing his hands behind his back before leading him out to a waiting police paddy wagon.
He was taken to Wollongong Police Station and held overnight to front court on Saturday where he was refused bail due to his "long and unenviable record" of similar offences.
The court heard Thomas and the victim separated four months ago after an on/off 18-month relationship and there remained significant animosity between them.
The woman claimed Thomas and his new girlfriend were outside her home on the afternoon of March 23 when Thomas spotted her through an open window and allegedly yelled out "f--k you, you putrid f--king slut, I'm going to get you, you f--king dog".
The victim yelled back "f--k off, you f--king junkie dog", allegedly prompting Thomas to reply "that's it, I'm coming up there and knocking your f--king door in."
It is alleged Thomas walked up to the front door of the woman's unit and kicked at the door until it broke, before the pair got into a scuffle in the hallway.
Thomas allegedly hit the woman twice on the head. One of the victim's friends then hit Thomas twice in the head with a spanner.
Meantime, Thomas' current partner tried to pull him away.
The pair eventually left, with Thomas alleged to have told the victim "I'm going to come back with my gun and f--king shoot ya" as he departed.
The woman reported the matter to police.
In court on Saturday, defence lawyer Laura Fennell said Thomas suffered from schizophrenia and an intellectual disability which would make him vulnerable if he remained in custody.
She said he denied committing the offences and claims he was assaulted by police during his arrest.
Prosecutors opposed Thomas' bail application, noting the alleged offences came just days after he was placed on an intensive corrections order in court.
Thomas will return to court on Monday when he is expected to make another bid for bail.
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