Grant Nalder is charged with recklessly causing injury, possession of a weapon and handling stolen goods.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Ben Jones told the court Nalder ran from a property in Delacombe when police entered the house looking for another man on December 21, 2017, and he jumped multiple fences to escape police.

It is alleged later that afternoon, a property owner found Nalder hiding in a green waste recycling bin in their backyard.

Senior Constable Jones said the man attempted to keep Nalder in the bin by holding the lid down but Nalder managed to get out, punched the victim and put him in a headlock causing a blood nose, before running away.

He said police later arrested Nalder on two outstanding warrants and a knife fell out of his pocket.

Nalder appeared in the dock and has been in custody since March 5 for other matters.

In seeking a pre-sentence indication, Nalder's legal representative said it was not a serious example of causing injury.

"I would be urging consideration of a short, sharp, jail sentence in relation to both matters," he said.

Magistrate Gregory Robinson said he considered it a 'serious assault' on someone assisting police.

"...Behaviour like that is seen as bravery," he said.

"The charge of recklessly causing injury is a serious one. While the injury is on the lower level, I believe it is an aggravated feature that the attack was on a man in his older years and someone who went above and beyond his public duty in being a good Samaritan in assisting police."

Mr Robinson indicated he would sentence Nalder to six months jail on a plea of guilty.

Nalder will return to court for a contest mention on these charges on January 29.

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