A Port Kembla parolee has found himself back behind bars amid allegations he launched a drunken, racially-motivated attack on a group of Chinese students earlier this week.
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James Anthony Shepherd, 46, was walking in the Crown Street Mall on Tuesday evening when he spotted three Chinese students coming towards him.
Shepherd walked past the trio before allegedly turning around and approaching them from behind as they stood at the Keira Street intersection waiting to cross at the lights.
Police said CCTV footage of the incident captured Shepherd walk in between the group and single one of the students out, separating him from the other two.
Shepherd allegedly confronted the man in an aggressive fashion, thrusting a pointed finger into his face until the victim backed away.
Shepherd then walked off, however turned around about 10 metres down the street and strode back to the group, allegedly targeting the same student with further intimidatory gestures.
It is alleged Shepherd then pushed the student to the right side of his face, causing the man to step back again.
The students reported the incident to police, saying Shepherd had told them "go back to your own country", "you need to f--k off" and "this is my country" during the confrontation.
Officers arrested Shepherd near Mr Crown. They will allege he was aggressive and agitated during the charging process, banging on the perspex of the holding cell and threatening police before succumbing to his intoxication and falling asleep in the holding dock.
In documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court, police said Shepherd verbally and physically confronted the students, who did nothing to antagonise him.
"The students in no way engage with the accused and it appears it's their simple presence that infuriates him," police wrote.
Prosecutor Sergeant Matthew Goode opposed Shepherd's bail application in court on Wednesday, citing the strong case against him.
"[The incident] is clearly captured by CCTV; it's an unprovoked attack that was racially-motivated," he said.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused to release Shepherd from custody, labelling his behaviour "atrocious".
The case will return to court on July 23.
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