Matthew Duncan, 21, appeared in Wodonga Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to plead guilty to assaulting his father’s partner by stabbing her in the hand with a 30-centimetre kitchen knife at their Wodonga home on May 28.

The day he was refused bail, he told a custody officer the police had “dogged him” and he was innocent.

“When I get out of here, I’m going to slit his throat – I’ll bash the dog,” he told the officer.

Magistrate David Faram said the outburst was “childish” and told Duncan to “man up”. “It’s a gutless thing to do to threaten a police officer,” he said.

Duncan was released on bail and his sentence was deferred for three months.

Mr Faram said he wanted to give the young man a chance to straighten up and prove he could be a positive member of the community.

“If you’re going to play up, the community’s going to demand you go back in there,” he said.

“All these antics are unacceptable.”

Solicitor Mario Vaccaro said Duncan had used cannabis since he was a child and occasionally used the drug ice.

He said the 21-year-old could have an diagnosed mental health condition.

“It’s erratic – he does have that anger issue and that needs to be addressed,” Mr Vaccaro said.

“He was of the view (the stabbing victim) was determined to have him out of the house.”

Treatment as part of a community corrections order, imposed for a previous offence, will continue while Duncan is on bail.

The police prosecutor said the young man faced further charges after officers analysed his mobile phone during the assault investigation.

The case was adjourned until October.