Max Paul Arndt, 21, bit a Rockhampton Hospital staff member’s hand and spat at a police officer

The man also caused traffic chaos when he decided to lie down in the middle of the road on the Bruce Highway.

A man who decided to lie down in the middle of the road on the Bruce Highway, jumped on a car’s bonnet and roof, bit a mental health worker and spat at a police officer, has faced court.

Max Paul Arndt, 21, pleaded guilty on January 13 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count of obstructing police, assault occasioning bodily harm, wilful damage and burglary.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said Arndt entered a residence on Alexandra Street via the back door on August 14 about 10am, spoke with one of his victims who was on a bed in the main bedroom, picked up a pig skull and left.

She said the pig skull belonged to a second victim and was a trophy from a hunting trip.

Max Paul Arndt, 21, bit a Rockhampton Hospital staff member’s hand and spat at a police officer.

Ms Bain said Arndt was in the middle of the Bruce Highway, in the northbound lane at Yaamba, at 2.20pm on August 24.

She said his position on the road caused motorists to slow down and stop to avoid colliding with him.

Ardnt jumped up and jumped on the bonnet, then roof, of a red Honda before moving towards a Toyota Hilux where someone was filming him.

His actions caused damage to the Honda’s roof.

Ardnt later bit the hand of a Rockhampton Hospital staff member who was assisting to restrain Ardnt in the mental health unit on August 26.

Days later, police were trying to arrest Arndt in the carpark of the PCYC on Bridge Street when he said “Ok. I’m going to run”.

And so he ran.

He ran down Lakes Creek Road until police caught up with him outside the Victorian Tavern at the Musgrave Street intersection.

Later that day, as police tried to move Arndt from a sedan to a police pod, he resisted which led to police having to use open hand tactics.

As they were trying to get him in the pod, he turned and spat in the face of an officer.

Defence lawyer Mirren Smith said her client lived with his mother who had visited him while he was remanded in custody.

She said his grandfather and sister had also visited him.

Ms Smith said Arndt was six-months shy of finishing a four-year apprenticeship with Ergon as a linesman when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.

She said he lost his job due to his mental health issues.

Max Paul Arndt, 21, bit a Rockhampton Hospital staff member’s hand and spat at a police officer.

Ms Smith said Arndt had taken drugs while he was struggling with his mental health but had now engaged with a psychiatrist and planned to stay engaged.

She said he also planned on getting into boxing and, once his mental health was on track, getting a casual job at a butcher.

Ms Smith said Arndt was friends with the people involved in the skull incident.

She said he was due for his injection when he bit the hospital worker.

Magistrate Cameron Press said the dedicated mental health staff must get upset and distressed when they were assaulted like this by patients.

He warned Arndt that taking drugs made him lose control.

Mr Press placed Arndt on a 15-month probation order and no convictions recorded due to his lack of criminal record.