Douglas Lee Boney appeared in an out-of-sessions bail hearing in Armidale Local Court on Wednesday on 17 charges stemming from three separate incidents in Armidale and Glen Innes.

The 42-year-old was arrested after he was founding hiding in a Taylor St unit in Armidale in the early hours of Tuesday.

Detectives allege he stabbed a 32-year-old woman in the back several times in a domestic dispute, and contravened an apprehended violence order.

The woman was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Boney is also charged in relation to two domestic violence-related incidents in Glen Innes on October 1.

During the brief court proceedings on Wednesday, Boney was required to show cause why his detention was not justified, but he did not make an application for release. 

He was refused bail and will remain in custody until the case returns to court next week.