An alcoholic with a long history of criminal offending has been arrested following the assault of a cyclist earlier this month.
Jonathon Paul Auchterlonie (56) was arrested yesterday and appeared in the Dunedin District Court before justice of the peace Robert Montgomery.
The 45-year-old cyclist was allegedly thrown from her bike on December 5 and punched in the head.
Auchterlonie applied to be bailed to the Brighton Caravan Park. However, Mr Montgomery said he was ‘‘not satisfied that that is a safe address to bail you to''.
‘‘You clearly have a propensity for violence to people unknown to you.''
Prosecutor Sergeant Paul Knox said Auchterlonie's criminal history, his five previous breaches of bail and his alcoholism gave police concerns about bail.
‘‘We have real concerns for the safety of the public,'' he said.‘‘We argue the only safe place to keep Mr Auchterlonie ... is in custody.''
He was remanded in custody until February 4, when he would be expected to plead.
