Magistrate Roger Prowse said it was a “very strong Crown case” against Dylan Leonard O’Brien who is charged with wounding with intent.

He allegedly stabbed a 33-year-old man inside a car in Campbell Rd, Calala, shortly after 4am on June 8.

“The protections of the community outweigh your interests,” Mr Prowse told Tamworth Local Court, refusing bail.

“The public is not protected by you being admitted to bail.”

The court was told O’Brien was on bail before an arrest warrant was issued, but he was suffering “serious” health issues.

Legal Aid solicitor Fiona Hadlington said he had family support but “his record isn’t fantastic”.

“On the face of it it appears to be a strong prosecution case but there may well be a strong defence,” she said in the bail application.

He is also charged with larceny, break-and-enter of a church on Goonoo Goonoo Rd and fail to appear from unrelated incidents.

The case has been adjourned to allow detectives to compile a brief of evidence with the matter set to return to court in August.