A Maitland man who allegedly kidnapped and viciously assaulted a woman has been refused bail.
Kirt Field, 37, who had been on the run since March, was arrested after allegedly ramming multiple police cars at Metford on Friday.
Newcastle bail court heard on Sunday that Field, who faces 23 charges, had an extensive criminal record around Australia.
In applying for bail, defence lawyer Saeed Saadie indicated Field would defend the charges.
He argued Field, who had been self medicating on cannabis and ice, needed to be at liberty in order to prepare his defence.
However, police prosecutor Josh McIlveen said Field represented a flight risk and a risk to community safety.
Field's arrest dramatic arrest came after an off-duty police officer allegedly saw him driving a stolen Landcruiser on the New England Highway at East Maitland on Friday.
Police followed the vehicle to Metford train station where Field allegedly rammed several police cars before rolling the Landcruiser.
Two senior constables suffered minor injuries during the arrest.
He did not enter pleas to charges including domestic violence, common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking and intimidation, taking or detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage or cause actual bodily harm, and reckless grievous bodily harm.
Other charges include using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, hindering police in the execution of their duties, multiple accounts of assaulting police, police pursuit, destroying or damaging property, driving while disqualified, multiple counts of dishonestly obtaining property, aggravated breaking and entering, vehicle theft, and reckless driving.
Police began investigating Field in March after reports a woman had been assaulted by a man known to her at Upper Allyn, and issued a warrant for his arrest.
Officers were called to John Hunter Hospital on June 2 after a woman required surgery for injuries that were believed to have been sustained during an assault.
Inquires led police to believe the woman had been kidnapped by the man six weeks earlier and held against her will.
Police attempted to arrest Field the following afternoon but he escaped after allegedly assaulting officers before fleeing in a Jeep Cherokee towing a camper trailer.
Officers gave chase through the Kulnura area, but the Jeep collided with a tree after swerving to avoid tyre spikes, causing the trailer to detach from the vehicle.
Police ultimately gave up the pursuit over concerns for safety.
Field was refused bail on Sunday. He will appear in Maitland Local Court on Monday.
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