David Joseph Utting allegedly posed as maintenance worker before violent home invasion in Southern River, Perth

A man who allegedly disguised himself as a maintenance worker before tying up residents and assaulting them more than 18 years ago has been denied bail.

Cold case detectives say David Joseph Utting was tracked down using new forensic technology.

The 54-year-old appeared in Perth Magistrates court charged with deprivation of liberty, aggravated armed robbery and aggravated burglary over the incident at a home in Southern River on October 9, 2006.

A police prosecutor told the court Utting and an unidentified co-accused disguised themselves in workman’s clothing and falsely claimed they were there to repair damage to the property.

The prosecution alleged Utting forced his way inside, grabbing one victim and taping their hands behind their back, as well as covering their mouth with silver duct tape.

Utting is alleged to have thrown the victim to the floor, before taping their legs together, covering their head and threatening to cut off their toe, before finally striking them across the face with a frying pan.

The court was told the victim suffered a broken nose before being dragged into the bedroom where Utting allegedly punched them in the face, repeatedly.

‘He is a career criminal’

Police say Utting took hold of a second victim’s neck, directed her to the kitchen, while pressing a knife into her throat, before bounding her legs and mouth with duct tape.

A third victim has also given a statement to authorities.

The duo are accused of stealing a number of household items including a 62-inch television, Sony PlayStation, jewellery and other antique items before fleeing the premises.

The court was told the three victims went to Cannington Police Station. Forensics attended the scene but no breakthroughs have been made, until now.

The court was told new forensic analysis of a DNA sample matched Utting and a PathWest report revealed DNA on a latex glove and duct tape left at the scene was 19 billion times likely to belong to the accused.

The magistrate’s court was told Utting has a related conviction on his record.

Prosecutors said that in December that same year, he committed a similar offence using the same disguise but armed with a shotgun.

“He is a career criminal,” the prosecution said.

Utting represented himself, without a lawyer at the hearing, where he admitted to his criminal past but told magistrate Ayling he was a different person now.

“I have done everything I can to turn my life around,” he said.

The 54-year-old said he was clean from drugs and alcohol and he works as a volunteer with recently released prisoners.

Magistrate Ayling took his current circumstances into consideration, told him he had the right to the presumption of innocence but ruled the case against him too strong and the allegations too serious to grant him bail.

He was denied bail and will be back in court later this month.

His partner and stepfather sat in the back of court supporting him.

They did not speak to the media outside and instead gave the middle finger to cameras.