Nicholas Rickards, 33, of Koroit Street, Warrnambool, applied for bail in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with make threats to kill, causing criminal damage and assault with a weapon.

Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt decided to adjourn the bail application part-heard until today and Mr Rickards was remanded in custody.

Solicitor Matthew Senia said his client had severe mental health issues.

Police alleged that there had been a number of intervention orders in the past between Mr Rickards and his mother and officers had been called to provide assistance six times.

On Monday this week the mother invited Mr Rickards for dinner and when she picked him up at 5.30pm, he seemed slightly affected by alcohol.

When called for dinner, Mr Rickards grabbed hold of two knives and threatened to kill himself and his mother.

His mother went upstairs and dialled 000, but Mr Rickards broke through a bathroom door. While still holding a knife he threatened to cut off his mother’s head, which terrified the woman.

Mr Senia said a combination of medication and alcohol led to Mr Rickards’ behaviour and he admitted his client had come off the rails in relation to his alcohol consumption.

Mr Klestadt is considering ordering a Forensicare report which would take about two months to complete.

He said he was concerned to have Mr Rickards back in the community without controls being put in place.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Nathan Brown said Mr Rickards should at least be held in custody while police officers had the opportunity to talk with his mother.

It is expected a decision will be made today whether Mr Rickards will be held in custody while the Forensicare report is prepared or released on bail with strict conditions, including that he not consume alcohol.