The 45-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his daughter, was arrested on Friday and charged with threatening to kill and inflict serious injury.

He was released on bail after pleading guilty on Tuesday.

Counsellors had been so concerned after conversations with him on May 17, they contacted police.

The police prosecutor told Wodonga Magistrates’ Court counsellors described the man as “icy” when he told them about his plans to attack the man on his next court date then torture him using a hose and barbed wire.

He went as far as attacking a man at Wodonga Plaza who looked similar and considered going to the Gypsy Jokers for help.

He also asked Wodonga Court staff just last week when the man was next due to appear.

“The likelihood of the accused carrying out these threats are serious,” the prosecutor said.

The father has no criminal history.

Solicitor Mario Vaccaro said his client suffered post-traumatic stress disorder following the sexual assault, but no longer wanted to inflict violence and valued being at home with family.

“It's this one day the threats have been made,” he said.

“Certainly the words are serious, but there's no action to them - they're just words.”

Albury-Wodonga Adult Mental Health psychiatrist Dr Vinod Chopra assessed the man on Tuesday and gave evidence he was much calmer following a change in medication.

“I didn't find the preoccupation with those thoughts,” he said.

“I don't think he would be a threat to himself or anyone else.”

Magistrate David Faram ordered a full mental health review before he handed down a sentence.

“These are extremely serious threats and I can, and I do, understand to some extent at least the circumstances,” he said.

“I'm aware of all the issues, I assure you – I'm a father as well.”

The case was adjourned until Thursday.