A Melbourne father accused of striking his estranged wife 24 times with a hatchet in an attempt to murder her has failed in his attempt to get bail.
The 45-year-old accountant, who says he is the victim because she had been unfaithful, represented himself in court on Tuesday following his alleged vicious attack at a Narre Warren shopping centre beauty parlour.
Police appealed on Wednesday for a man wearing a fluoro vest, who was at the beauty parlour entrance before officers arrived just after 10am on Monday, to come forward.
A detective gave evidence in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday that the alleged attack was motivated by the man's anger at their 12-month separation and her new relationship with another man.
"I am her husband. She is my wife. She has been sleeping with another man," the accused is reported to have said at the scene.
The man, who can't be named for legal reasons, has been charged with attempted murder and other assault-related offences charges.
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt said on Tuesday the man showed a "total lack of remorse" and seemed not to respect the rights of another person to "pursue happiness with whomever they choose".
The court heard that the assault weapon was a 39cm hatchet bought from Bunnings.
It got stuck in the victim's skull at one point during the attack and the alleged attacker had to use force to pull it out.
He later told police his wife had been unfaithful and complained the Australian court system was "regulated around the female" and he was the true victim.
There were numerous witnesses to the vicious attack.
The woman was taken to the Alfred hospital, where is is in a critical but stable condition.
National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
