Jose Luis Ferreira, 39, appeared in Wollongong Local Court yesterday, where he was refused bail and referred to the court's mental health liaison nurse for assessment.

He was charged with stealing a car, negligent driving, driving while disqualified, damaging property, not giving particulars at the scene of a crash and driving under the influence.

Documents tendered to the court said Ferreira had twice been named a habitual traffic offender and is on parole for driving offences.

He had been disqualified from driving in 1989 and is banned from holding a licence until 2037.

He allegedly stole a friend's Mitsubishi Pajero while visiting her at Lilyfield in Sydney's inner-west.

The woman chased the car for a short distance in an attempt to get him to pull over but Ferreira allegedly drove off.

At 9pm that night, the driver of a blue Nissan Maxima sedan reported that a Pajero was following him as he overtook another car on the F6 near Bulli Tops.

The Pajero then allegedly "accelerated harshly" as it overtook the Nissan Maxima, clipping the sedan with the Pajero's bullbar as it went.

Both drivers pulled over and Ferreira allegedly got out of the car, smelling strongly of alcohol, before giving the driver a false name.

The driver of the Maxima reported the incident to police who later arrested Ferreira.

He allegedly admitted stealing the Pajero and colliding with the Maxima.

However he allegedly became aggressive in the custody room at the police station and began spitting on the floor.

Ferreira is due back in court today.