A father-of-four accused of a violent bashing at Summernats earlier this year has been refused bail at the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday and will be detained at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
Karawera Te Kaitahi Mangu Rerekura, 27, was extradited from his home in the Central Coast over the alleged assault in the grandstand at the burnout area of the car racing event on January 8.
He plead not guilty to one charge of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.
Appearing in court via videolink in a wheelchair on Wednesday, a court heard Rerekura broke his ankle after running away from police.
Rerekura was arrested by NSW Police to face extradition proceedings in Wyong Court after an arrest warrant was issued on Monday.
On Wednesday, defence lawyer Anna Qvist said Rerekura had four children under eight years of age, a pregnant partner and was the sole breadwinner of his family.
Ms Qvist said if he was remanded in custody the family "will not be able to pay their rent, they will not be able to sustain themselves".
Because the alleged offence faces a maximum penalty of five years or longer in prison, there must have been special or exceptional circumstances for Rerekura to be granted bail.
Ms Qvist argued a combination of factors were special or exceptional circumstances on Wednesday.
This included Rerekura's role as primary breadwinner, having being accused of no offences since he was charged in January, the unlikelihood he will face jail time and bail surety given by his sister-in-law.
Rerekura was refused bail by Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker on Wednesday, and Rerekura appeared in court again on Thursday to apply for bail on a different point of law.
He was refused bail again on Thursday, and is scheduled to face court next on May 23.
