A man who allegedly escaped the Whanganui District Court cells and assaulted a police officer in the process two months ago was denied bail yesterday.

Letraz Poulson reappeared in court yesterday before Judge David Cameron on charges of escaping lawful custody, aggravated injury, injuring with intent to injure, threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm, possessing a knife in a public place, theft of a motor vehicle, being an unlicensed driving failing to comply, and two counts of breaching a protection order.

It is alleged Poulson broke out of the courthouse cells in late March by unscrewing a hinge.

Police claim Poulson came across a constable facing away from him and punched him numerous times about the head and face, stopping him from calling for help on his radio while doing so.

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Poulson allegedly took a set of keys and a security card and fled the building.

Police say he was found a short time later hiding underneath a jetty by the river.

He applied for bail yesterday, but it was declined.

His next appearance will be on July 26.