The 49-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was refused bail in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday.

He faces charges including three counts of rape and two counts of intentionally causing serious injury.

Police opposed the application on the count the man was an unacceptable risk of continuing to offend, and of interfering with witnesses.

Detective Senior Constable Jacinta Ford gave evidence, telling the court the man and woman started spending time together after their partners ran away together.

She claimed that on one occasion about three weeks ago the man made sexual advances towards the woman, but when she refused he forced her onto his bed and raped her.

On another occasion Detective Ford said the pair were watching television together when he became angry at her, blaming her for his partner leaving him. Allegedly, he then punched her in the face and raped her again.

On the third occasion just days ago, the man allegedly dragged her to his bed, put his hands around her throat and said he would kill her.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Kent described the alleged incidents as “a brutal attack causing the victim great harm”.

Representing himself in the bail application, the man told the court he wouldn’t go near the woman if released. The man said that if released he would live in Melbourne with his mother, who was also present in court.

But magistrate Terry Wilson took little time to refuse bail, referring to photos tendered to him of the alleged victim.

“It’s the sort of (injuries) someone would expect to see if they had been in a car accident,” Mr Wilson said. “Quite clearly significant injury has been caused.”

The man was remanded in custody until next week, when he is expected to make a represented bail application.