​Gary Owen, 51, of no fixed address decided not to appear in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court last Friday.

​He was remanded in custody to appear in court again on Thursday this week.

Solicitor Jack Rabl said his client was withdrawing from drug use, homeless, itinerant and had mental health issues.

A magistrate previously said he did not want to jail  Mr Owen for lower-end offending.

Mr Rabl said that last Thursday's incident had led to more serious charges.

Magistrate Cynthia Toose also ordered that Mr Owen be medically assessed.

Friday: A CASTERTON district man who lives life to his own tune has been remanded in custody after using a guitar as a weapon to fend off police officers during an incident at a Hamilton hotel late Thursday afternoon.

Police were called to the Grand Central Hotel after a man caused a disturbance in the venue about 5pm.

Officers approached the 51-year-old homeless man in the hotel and encouraged him to go outside the venue to discuss his issues.

It's alleged he was lunging at officers with the guitar, which was in a case, and using the instrument as a weapon.

Police officers used capsicum foam to subdue the man, he was arrested, handcuffed and provided after care.

The man has been charged with a range of behaviour-related offences including assault police and resisting arrest.

He was remanded in custody by a bail justice overnight and will appear in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Friday morning for a bail/remand hearing.

No one was injured in the incident.

​The man is known to police, has mental health issues and was also found in possession of ice.