Paul Damien McDonald, 30, was refused bail in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday, just seven days after he was released from custody by the same court.

Wearing a white singlet displaying tattoos down both his arms, McDonald sat in the dock of a courtroom void of friends and family.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Kent read a summary of the alleged offending to the court, in which McDonald was said to have broken into UFS Medical on Doveton Street on Thursday.

He allegedly broke into the building using a jemmy bar, which set off a silent alarm.

Senior Constable Kent said police soon arrived at the scene, where they allegedly found McDonald carrying more than $250 in cash, a Canon camera and various prescription medications, which he then allegedly tried to consume.

The prosecution highlighted McDonald’s “extensive” criminal history, to which magistrate Terry Wilson said: “Certainly if one goes by the weight of it, there’s a lot”.

Defence lawyer Mary Mangan said her client was under duress at the time of the alleged offending because he had to get money for someone who was threatening him.

She also pointed out that McDonald was put on the credit bail program when he was bailed last Friday, but hadn’t had the opportunity for it to “kick in”.

Upon being told bail was refused, McDonald interjected and said he was “forced to do it”.

“The only reason I done it is because I had a gun put to my head,” he said. “I was fearing for my life.”

In refusing bail, magistrate Terry Wilson told the father-of-two that his prior history, which dates back to 1995, had counted against him.

“I’m not prepared to put the community of Ballarat at risk any more,” Mr Wilson said. “I’m not of the mind at this stage to take such a risk.”

McDonald faces charges including entering a building with intent to steal, shop theft, going equipped to steal and resisting police.

He is due back in court on February 17.