A judge has questioned why a man was in his courtroom after previously releasing him from jail on bail so he could go into residential drug rehab facility.
Zane Francis Vidler, currently living with his three sisters at Braemar as part of strict bail conditions, pleaded not guilty to nine serious domestic violence related offences police allege occurred over the past four years.
He is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of stalk/intimidate intend to cause fear of physical or mental harm, four of contravene a Domestic Violence Order (DVO), knowingly contravene a DVO 3rd time in 28 days, use carriage service to menace/harass/offend and possess a prohibited drug.
Police had previously told the court Vidler had evaded capture for two years after fleeing to Queensland, where he had been driving trucks at mine site.
Under his release from prison last month, Vidler must enter into a residential drug rehabilitation program, reside with his three sisters, not leave the house unless in the company of one of them, report daily to Southern Highlands Police Station, not use any electronic communications device unless in the presence of one of his sisters and not go within 100km of Batemans Bay unless to attend court.
Yesterday Judge Doug Dick told Batemans Bay Local Court Vidler was meant to be in rehab or at least be able to provide evidence of genuine attempts to find a place in one.
The 33-year-old told the court he had been accepted into a residential drug rehab facility from Tuesday next week.
Vidler then fumbled through his phone for a minute or so before his lawyer asked for time outside to contact a facility in the Southern Highlands her client had spoken to.
His lawyer later provided an email confirming he had undergone a pre-admission assessment for a 28-day program.
The case adjourned to December 14 for a rehab progress report.
