A Deakin man accused of taking a 30-tonne road scraper for a joyride through the centre of Canberra on Tuesday has been sent to hospital for a mental health assessment.
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Nathanial Paton, 23, appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday over the 20-minute drive from Majura to Deakin.
Police said members of the public reported the scraper driving erratically - running red traffic lights and driving onto the medium strip - at about 12.25pm on Tuesday.
Drivers phoned in reports as the road scraper drove south along Northbourne Avenue to Deakin High School, where it allegedly damaged the school's oval.
Officers found Paton at the high school about 12.50pm, where he was arrested and taken to Canberra Hospital for tests.
He was charged with vehicle theft, dangerous driving, property damage and drug possession.
But Paton was not formally charged over the incident in court on Wednesday.
The court heard Paton required further mental health assessment at the Canberra Hospital.
Magistrate Robert Cook ordered Paton be taken to hospital for assessment and then be brought back before the court at a later date.