Patient who put Albany Health Campus nurse in a headlock denied a spent conviction

A 23-year-old Albany man who put a nurse in a headlock at the Albany Health Campus last year has been fined and denied a spent conviction. Max Marindi House appeared in Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday and pleaded guilty to assaulting a nurse while receiving treatment for mental health issues. Police prosecutor Sgt Dave Loverock told the court about 9.10pm on August 19, House was admitted to Albany Health Campus after suffering a psychotic episode. “The victim was working in the unit when the accused has put them in a headlock and caused them to fall forward,” he told the court. The nurse was dealing with another patient at the time of the assault, Sgt Loverock said. Defence lawyer Raymond Muir said his client was suffering from psychosis and delusions brought on by excessive alcohol consumption. “The second patient was having an argument with the nurse,” he said. “Mr House thought the nurse’s behaviour was inappropriate. “He admits he put his arms around the nurse’s throat and held (on) but not enough to harm or restrict breathing.” The 23-year-old shearer’s request for a spent conviction was opposed by the prosecution and rejected by Magistrate Dianne Scadden. “The manner in which you assaulted this nurse would have been unsettling to other patients,” she said. House was fined $2500 and ordered to pay costs of $130.