A Banks man accused of assaulting his friend with a samurai sword before he barricaded himself inside a Red Hill unit block in a six-hour stand-off with police believed his friend was conspiring with bikies to have him killed, court documents said.
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Van Long Pham, 39, allegedly told the man he was "teaching him a lesson" as he refused to let his friend leave and threatened to burn down the Monaro Crescent residence before police were called on Sunday.
![Police drive the suspect away from the unit block on Sunday. Photo: Rohan Thomson Police drive the suspect away from the unit block on Sunday. Photo: Rohan Thomson](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/16774957-23f0-4807-ae65-40e16db7ae66/r0_0_2000_1331_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Pham was charged with unlawful confinement, possessing an offensive weapon with intent and two assaults causing actual bodily harm after the Monaro Crescent siege ended shortly after 9pm.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges against him when he faced the ACT Magistrates Court and made a bid for bail on Monday.
![Police and ACT Fire and Rescue outside an apartment complex in Red Hill. Photo: Rohan Thomson Police and ACT Fire and Rescue outside an apartment complex in Red Hill. Photo: Rohan Thomson](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/5c3ec1c3-ffb4-42e9-9eed-098365d3b8d9/r0_0_2000_1330_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A police statement of facts said Pham appeared delusional when he showed up at the man's unit, where he had a room and often stayed, about 11pm on Saturday.
Pham allegedly said he believed the man was conspiring with the Rebels bikie gang and police to have him killed, threatening to assault the man if he didn't confess.
The man denied the allegation, growing fearful of the defendant's increasingly threatening behaviour and believing he was affected by illicit drugs.
Pham is alleged to have grabbed his friend by the neck and punched him in the jaw, prompting the man to say he was helping the bikie gang out of fear the accused would hurt him.
The defendant allegedly demanded the man go into his room, saying: "Get in there, you putrid, treacherous, lying dog."
At one stage, he brandished the 80-centimetre sword and the man begged not to be hurt.
Pham is alleged to have said: "I'm not going to stab you, I'm just going to give you a poke."
He then jabbed the man twice in the buttocks with the sword, court documents said.
The man eventually escaped when Pham was on the phone and he reported the incident to police on Sunday morning.
Police went to the unit complex about 3.30pm but Pham refused to let police inside or to speak with them, sparking a lengthy stand-off.
Pham surrendered about 9.20pm and was arrested. He later denied the allegations in an interview with police.
Prosecutors opposed Pham's bail application on grounds would likely reoffend or endanger witnesses if released.
Pham's Legal Aid lawyer said the events were disputed and while his client admitted the two men had a verbal argument, he denied there was a physical altercation.
The prosecutor said Pham had a history of violent offences and the lengthy negotiations with police indicated he was unlikely to comply with court orders.
"These are violent offences and, taken at their highest, present a great threat to the complainant."
The court heard Pham had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and wasn't taking medication, but there was no indication he was in the grip of a psychotic episode at the time of the alleged offences.
Magistrate Robert Cook took into account Pham's history of drug-taking and violence, and the allegations he hadn't responded to police during the alleged siege. He refused bail.
Pham, who muttered during proceedings, swore as he was led back down to the cells.
His case will return to court at a later date. He was marked a prisoner at risk.