Cousins behind bars over VRO breach

Troubled AFL premiership player Ben Cousins will remain behind bars after appearing in a Perth court following his arrest for allegedly breaching a violence restraining order.

The former captain of the West Coast Eagles was arrested in Canning Vale on Tuesday evening and represented himself in Armadale Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The VRO relates to Cousins' former partner Maylea Tinecheff, with whom he has two children aged three and five.

He is only allowed to communicate with Ms Tinecheff via text message about parenting issues but police allege he came within 10m of her on Tuesday.

Cousins, 38, claimed his former partner approached him when he went to her house to drop off a car and his children ran out to see him at a nearby park.

"She approached me," he said.

"I wasn't there to stir up trouble."

An agitated Cousins said in recent times he had called police to give them a heads-up that he was going to be in the area and it was harsh for police to arrest him on this occasion.

Magistrate Jennifer Hawkins warned Cousins he was in a "very serious position".

She noted the police version of events was different to his and it seemed implausible that such young children could run from the house unsupervised.

Ms Hawkins said she needed to hear from Ms Tinecheff.

"I'm telling you exactly what happened," Cousins replied.

"I just think common sense should prevail ... I came to drop the car off."

Ms Hawkins ordered Cousins to remain behind bars until a hearing on Thursday and recommended he speak to a lawyer.

Cousins was visibly angry at the decision and swore as he was taken away.

Last month, an arrest warrant was issued for the drug addict after he failed to appear in court on VRO and drug charges.

His lawyer Michael Tudori emailed the court on that occasion to say his client was unwell, but Magistrate Geoff Lawrence said there was no medical proof.

Cousins was then involved in a crash with a truck in the early hours of the next day and was under police guard in hospital for two days.

When he finally appeared in court heavily medicated, Cousins also faced a meth charge because police allegedly found a small amount in his wallet following the crash.

Mr Tudori said it was while Cousins was driving to get his medication for his illness that he crashed into the truck.

Cousins coughed throughout the hearing, prompting Magistrate Brian Gluestein to ask: "Is this all for show?"

The Brownlow medallist and drug addict was suspended from the AFL for one year in 2007 for bringing the game into disrepute.

He made a comeback with Richmond before retiring in 2010, and his troubles have continued under the glare of the public.