Daniel Peter Schenk assaults hospital workers, breaches bail naked in Mount Gambier CBD

A man on bail for assaulting hospital workers was found naked in the Mount Gambier CBD – the latest in his “spate of offending”.

Voices in his head told a man to take off his clothes in the Mount Gambier CBD just days after he was granted bail for assaulting two emergency workers, a court has heard.

Daniel Peter Schenk pleaded guilty to two counts of assault worker hospital, two counts of dishonestly take property without consent, indecent behaviour and fail to comply with bail agreement at the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Monday.

Schenk assaulted two emergency workers on October 11, 2020 and was granted bail by the court the next day.

Just days later on the 19th, he stole from Coles and BWS in Mount Gambier and was found naked in the CBD on the 20th, in breach of his bail condition to remain away from the area.

Defence lawyer Dylan Walsh described his client’s actions as a “small spate of offending” at time of poor mental health.

Daniel Peter Schenk pleaded guilty in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Tait Schmaal

He said Schenk had been in custody since October 20, 2020 and argued simple bail supervised by corrections would be better for his mental health.

The police prosecutor outlined an extensive history of offending including a conviction for assaulting two mental health workers in February 2018 and property damage for punching a car in 2019.

“When he’s in the community he’s committing against people trying to help him,” he said.

Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis understood Schenk’s mental health was a concern but was not prepared to grant bail without a favourable home detention inquiry report which had been unable to be obtained due to verbal abuse from other residents at the home.

“The wellbeing of health workers is also a concern,” Magistrate Panagiotidis said.

“It is likely he’s going to keep offending.”

She ordered a pre-sentencing report with Schenk to reappear in April.