The man shot by police at a swingers' party in a King Street nightclub took fake guns to at least one other Saints and Sinners Ball at the same venue, without attracting the attention of Victoria Police.

A former partner of Dale Ewins, 35, said they went to a New Years' Eve function at the club dressed as gangsters, including "pinstripes, guns and holsters – the whole lot".

The woman, who asked not to be named, said the fake guns were just part of "getting into character" at the adults-only parties.

"I'm pretty sure he put the toy gun in my mouth while having sex," she said.