An unemployed student allegedly held a samurai sword while blackmailing a man thousands of dollars before telling the man's friend "snitches get stitches" after he went to police, a court has heard.
Jesse Christopher Kirkwood, 30, appeared via video link in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday when he pleaded not guilty to two counts each of aggravated burglary and theft and one count each of blackmail, unlawfully confine a person and possessing an offensive weapon.
Police documents tendered to the court state the defendant and another man went to a Chapman residence on August 13 and threatened the occupant before forcing him to transfer money and stealing items from the home.
Mr Kirkwood at one point allegedly held a samurai sword during the incident. He and the other man told the complainant there was a $25,000 hit out on a person the complainant knew.
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On August 15 a second alleged break-in occurred at the same residence and further items were stolen.
The items allegedly stolen were worth $13,500 in total and included a Louis Vuitton bong, computer items, shoes and assorted DVDs.
The court heard that when police searched his phone, he was actively seeking information from the complainant's friends, with one message reading "snitches get stitches".
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker denied bail, saying the charges were "extremely serious" and that she had concerns about the defendant living near one of the alleged victims.
Ms Walker said with police still investigating two potential co-accused, Mr Kirkwood was likely to speak with them about their court matters if he were granted bail.
She said the alleged offending had planning involved, it was a strong prosecution case and there was still potential for him to interfere with witnesses despite the extensive proposed bail conditions.
Mr Kirkwood is scheduled before the court again on September 22.
