It's alleged the 46-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, committed the crimes using a machete at Lismore on Sunday night.

He had been married to one of the victims for 17 years until they separated in June last year.

On February 1 he was charged with breaching an apprehended violence order that had only been granted for the victim's protection on January 4.

Police facts stated that on Sunday night the victims were watching television in their home when the power suddenly switched off.

The male victim went outside and was allegedly attacked by a man he later identified as the accused.

The accused allegedly swung a machete at the victim multiple times, causing deep lacerations in the face and head which required extensive stitches.

As the female victim tried to help her partner back inside the house, she was allegedly struck twice with the machete in her left arm.

The cuts ran deep, slicing through to the bone below her elbow and severing tendons which have been unable to be repaired by surgery since. The couple then called for help and their attacker fled.

He was found the next morning by bin collectors at Arakoon Cemetery, bleeding heavily from his left arm after apparently attempting self harm.

An ambulance was needed to convey him to Port Macquarie Base Hospital, where he remained in an induced coma until Wednesday.

That night he was charged with two counts of causing wounding or grievous bodily harm to a person with the intent to murder, as well as another two counts of wounding a person with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Yesterday during a bedside hearing he was refused bail and will receive further treatment in Sydney.

Unless he is still in hospital he will appear at Lismore Local Court on March 8.