A Queanbeyan man accused of making nuisance calls to emergency services had believed police had conspired to shoot or electrocute him, a court has heard.
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Dylan Che Halliwell, 36, told the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday that he had become paranoid about his safety after taking an unknown tablet during Christmas celebrations.
The court was told Halliwell had made repeated calls to ACT firefighters and police from a phone at the Canberra City YHA, in Akuna Street, about 2pm on Saturday.
Police reported he refused to speak to officers and continued to make phone calls in their presence.
The court was told he had rambled, spoke nonsense and became aggressive and paranoid, saying that police had conspired to electrocute or shoot him.
Police said he resisted arrest and it took five officers to get him into the back of a police van.
The court was told he appeared delusional when placed in his cell, including speaking to an unknown person.
Halliwell was charged with using a phone to menace and resisting arrest, and applied for bail in court on Monday.
The prosecution asked the court to order a mental health report before granting Halliwell bail.
But the defence argued the alleged offences had been committed under the influence of drugs and the accused posed no further risk.
The court was told Halliwell took medication for bipolar disorder and had previously overcome a drug problem.
But he had a lapse of judgment during Christmas celebrations, he said.
Halliwell told Magistrate Beth Campbell that he had taken an unknown tablet from a stranger in Civic after a "few beers".
"I got really paranoid and scared for my safety," he said.
"I'm pretty embarrassed … and sorry for putting anyone in distress."
Ms Campbell said Halliwell appeared lucid and articulate, but ordered he be assessed by medical staff at Canberra Hospital.
She said he could make a bail application when cleared by mental health experts.
Police said they believed people among a crowd who witnessed the arrest may have filmed it on their mobile phones and
have called for anyone with footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
