A homeless man has been charged over a bloody knife scuffle that left a Wollongong police officer injured.
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David Anthony Hickey, was staying in emergency housing at Wollongong's City Beach Motel on Friday morning when a manager called police to complain about him.
Hickey was highly drunk, the manager claimed, and had been following a female housekeeper around as she performed her duties. He was invading the woman's personal space and of swearing and yelling at her.
Hickey allegedly defied the manager's orders to pack his bags and leave.
Two senior constables from Wollongong Police District arrived at 12.25pm, finding Hickey standing in the kitchenette of his open room.
He allegedly told the officers to "go get f---ed" when they told him he had been asked to leave, and argued and swore at police when warned he would be arrested for trespassing.
Police will allege Hickey ignored repeated calls to pack up and leave, before he sat down on the bed and flipped over a pillow to reveal a rock hammer.
Police physically intervened when Hickey went to place the hammer inside his backpack.
According to a police account of events, one of the officers placed his hand in the bag, unaware there was a 30cm-long knife inside, its blade sheathed in plastic.
The officer had hold of it when Hickey allegedly seized it by the handle, exposing the blade.
The senior constable kept a tight grip on the knife to prevent Hickey from arming himself with it.
The officer's hand was cut as Hickey allegedly pulled the knife, sliding the exposed blade along the officer's hand.
Hickey soon released the knife and tried to push the officer away. He was tackled to the ground and arrested.
The injured officer was left with cuts to his three middle fingers. He was treated by paramedics and transported to Wollongong Hospital.
Hickey fronted Wollongong Local Court on Monday charged with remaining on inclosed land, intimidating a police officer, armed with intent and assaulting a police officer.
Police prosecutor Ben Bragger opposed the 46-year-old's bid for release on bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the likelihood Hickey would face jail time if convicted.
"It is incredibly serious and the police shouldn't be subjected to this type of behaviour," Sgt Bragger said.
Magistrate Claire Girotto refused to release Hickey.
"If he can get himself into residential rehab, I'll grant him bail [then], she said."
The matter will return to court on August 18.