A NSW fugitive who was caught hiding in a yacht bound for overseas has appeared in a Sydney court, which heard of his attempts to "put himself beyond the reach" of police.
Mark Horne, 32, hung his head as he was marched through Sydney Airport at about 6pm on Tuesday, flanked by specialist anti-bikie squad detectives as stunned bystanders filmed videos on their mobile phones.
Detectives were searching for Mr Horne for three months after he allegedly breached bail in south-west Sydney.
He was extradited from the Northern Territory after being tracked to a yacht set to leave for Indonesia.
This afternoon, Judge Christopher Craigie granted a detention application lodged by NSW Police at Parramatta District Court.
Mr Horne appeared in court via video link while his lawyer, Hisham Karnib, did not oppose the police application.
Judge Craigie said he could not think of any bail conditions that would alleviate the "totally unacceptable" risk of Mr Horne fleeing again.
The court heard on his arrest inside the hull of a yacht, officers allegedly found documents and money to "further frustrate the administration of justice" in Mr Horne's possession.
"The circumstances in which he was arrested and found in the Northern Territory indicate he maintained a strong position for flight, not only from New South Wales, but from the Commonwealth of Australia."
On Friday, NSW Police officers were granted permission by a Darwin magistrate to extradite Mr Horne for allegedly breaching two outstanding arrest warrants relating to robbery and assault offences.
Mr Horne was set to face trial in Sydney before he allegedly fled the state.
He was met by Raptor Squad officers on arrival yesterday and escorted to Mascot police station, where he was charged with the outstanding warrants.
Police will allege in court that Mr Horne removed his electronic monitoring device and got in a Hyundai Getz in Riverwood early on an October morning last year, before heading west on the M5 Motorway.
NSW Police joined federal police, border force officers and NT Police to search airports and ports, with inquiries suggesting Mr Horne would try to flee to south-east Asia by sea.
On the morning of January 26, Mr Horne was found hiding under fuel and pipes in the hull of a yacht, which police say was intended to leave the port that afternoon.
Police say further arrests in relation to the people who may have helped the man leave NSW were expected.
Mr Horne will next appear in court to set a new trial date on February 10.
