A Sydney man accused of the near-fatal stabbing of a brothel owner has protested his innocence, pointing the finger instead at a mystery third man.
Shane Gwilliam, 37, appeared via video-link in Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday morning after he was arrested and charged with attempted murder the previous night.
The forklift driver admits to being present during the stabbing on Friday night but says he was not the one wielding a weapon.
He raised his hand to the court cameras to show the magistrate a slash wound, which solicitor Alexander Reetov said was a defensive injury inflicted by the unknown attacker.
But Gwilliam was refused bail, with the magistrate declaring: "The attack is just so violent that in my view the accused hasn't shown cause as to why detention isn't justified."
Police allege Gwilliam arranged to meet Mario Vinski, 50, in a poorly lit dead-end in an industrial district in Mount Druitt shortly after 9pm on Friday, before stabbing him numerous times in the face and chest and attempting to drag him from his car.
He then fled in his own vehicle, it's alleged.
It was thought Mr Vinski would not survive his injuries but he has since undergone emergency surgery at Westmead Hospital.
The court heard on Sunday that Gwilliam told investigators he had gone to meet Mr Vinski to score a hit of methamphetamine, while the victim told officers they were meeting so arrange the repayment of a debt.
"He's not only what appears to be a drug dealer ... so his reliability could be an issue, but he's also the owner of a brothel," Mr Reetov said of Mr Vinski.
"If he's involved in that kind of business there may be other persons that he's made enemies with that could have a motive to be involved in this."
Gwilliam said the attacker, who had a gun as well as knife, had hidden in the back seat of Mr Vinski's car and then jumped out.
Police have attempted to scotch that explanation, saying the car was fitted with child seats.
Gwilliam was remanded in custody to appear in Penrith court on July 10.
Mr Vinski was in a critical but stable condition on Sunday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman told AAP.
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