Matthew Cuppens, who has been in custody since November 6, appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Friday for a bail application. 

Police informant Senior Constable Nicholas Wallace told the court between June and November last year Cuppens was allegedly involved in a number of incidents including narrowly missing two female pedestrians in central Bacchus Marsh while attempting to evade police.

He told the court Cuppens had been charged with a string of offences including four counts of driving while disqualified, reckless conduct endangering life, theft of a motor vehicle, handle stolen goods, theft of number plates and drive in a manner dangerous.

The court heard Cuppens had also attempted to avoid police apprehension on two occasions, the first in June when he hid behind a door inside the house police searched and, on a second occasion by attempting to jump a fence before being arrested on November 6.

Opposing bail, Senior Constable Wallace said police had concerns Cuppens would commit further offending or fail to attend court in the future if released on bail.

“Through the conduct of his behaviour he puts the community at risk,” he said.

He said police also had concerns the accused - who had allegedly associated with drug users in the past and while not charged, has made admissions to taking a photo of a solid piece of ice the size of a forearm - would re-associate with drug users.

Cuppens’ defence lawyer, Terry Strong, said his client was at the time addicted to drugs and moving from house to house.

But he said Cuppens had not used drugs for the past two months and had been found suitable for the credit bail program.

In addition to a number of strict bail conditions, Mr Strong said support from his mother who would call police if he breached bail, access to stable housing and a full time job would reduce the risks of reoffending.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said while she was satisfied with the prosecutors case Cuppens was a significant risk, she was also satisfied she could put in place bail conditions, including a curfew and daily reporting, to reduce the risk of reoffending. 

Cuppens will reappear in court on February 9.