A 25-year-old man accused of raping a man with an axe handle in a Black Hill kitchen after torturing him has been refused bail due to a risk of him interfering with witnesses.
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Bradley Cassells made an application for bail under new facts and circumstances at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Magistrate Ron Saines refused bail, saying there were no bail conditions that could address the risks which included interfering with witnesses and failing to answer bail.
Police opposed Cassells' application for bail because of a risk of interfering with witnesses and failing to answer bail.
Police informant Senior Constable Brenton Walker said co-accused Patrick Meizys had tried to contact Cassells to to get the complainant's father to drop the charges.
"I have concerns of the victim and a few of the witnesses if released on bail," Senior Constable Walker said.
He said he believed Cassells would not answer bail, given police could not locate him between the incident on October 9 until December 5 when he was found camping at Burrumbeet.
Cassells has pleaded not guilty to a number of charges relating to the October 9 incident, including rape, causing injury and false imprisonment and other assault-related offences.
Police allege the complainant was burnt with a steel rod, had his leg cut with a wooden saw, was injected with a drug and raped with the wooden axe handle at an Edwardes Street address.
The ordeal was allegedly carried out because the accused persons wanted to know the location of a USB device which contained a file.
Cassells, Tina Cations, 34, and Meizys, 24, were on Wednesday committed to stand trial over the incident.
Cassells' lawyer Adrian Paull said the complainant's evidence, which was given in a close court, suggested his client's involvement was now seen in a different light.
Mr Paull said this was a compelling reason why Cassells should be bailed. Other reasons included stable accommodation with his grandmother, family support and a $1000 surety, Mr Paull said.
In refusing bail, magistrate Ron Saines said he was satisfied there were risks if Cassells was released on bail.
"I am not satisfied bail conditions can address the real risks that have been identified," Mr Saines said.
Cations had applied for bail on Wednesday, and it was also refused, while Meizy's remains in custody. Like Cassells, they have pleaded not guilty to rape, false imprisonment, causing injury and other assault charges.
Wearing a black suit and green tie, Cassells told his grandmother, partner and father he love them as he was led back into the holding cell.
A direction's hearing will be held in Melbourne on June 18.
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