Anthony Turner, 40, of the Princes Highway, appeared in Nowra Local Court on Monday before Magistrate Michael Stoddart charged with escaping police custody, resisting arrest, assault, damaging property and breaching an apprehended violence order.

The court heard Turner met with a woman, who had taken out an AVO against him in September last year, on March 31 at a Nowra address to have a drink and smoke cannabis to celebrate her recent birthday.

The court was told the woman asked Turner to leave but he refused.

When police arrived the woman admitted Turner occasionally stayed at the address.

Officers found Turner the lounge room and said they needed to speak to him.

Police documents stated Turner edged towards the back door and when an officer placed a hand on his shoulder and said he was under arrest for breaching the AVO, he turned and ran out of the house, across the backyard, through a gate and into a reserve that adjoined the property.

The court heard police called on Turner to stop but he changed directions while running a number of times to avoid officers.

After a few hundred metres he fell into deep mud and was unable to get out.

When police arrived he was lying face down, but as officers approached he rolled onto his back and raised his hands, and struggled with officers as they tried to place him in handcuffs.

He was charged with contravening an AVO, escaping police custody and resisting arrest.

He also faced separate charges of damaging property and assault following an incident in a car in Bomaderry in January where the gear lever in the vehicle and a door were damaged and the driver punched in the face.

Magistrate Stoddart placed Turner on a 12-month good behaviour bond.