An Eaglehawk man, 37, appeared at Bendigo Magistrates Court on Tuesday to be sentenced over a spate of offending in September during which he punched a security guard, assaulted a police officer and set a rubbish bin alight.

Bendigo police Sergeant David Somerton told the court the man, who has a history of mental illness, had become agitated while being transferred to the courthouse and had repeatedly spat in the rear of the police van.

He said the man was overheard calling police "rats" and telling them "I don't need no morphine, I'm the King".

Once in the dock, the man interrupted his lawyer to tell Magistrate Patrick Southey officers at Bendigo police station had spiked his drinks while on remand.

Following further interjections, the man was removed from the courtroom to allow the hearing to proceed uninterrupted.

The prisoner pleaded guilty on Monday to assaulting and resisting police, arson, unlawful assault, offensive behaviour in a public place and shoptheft.

Defence lawyer Michael McKenna told the court his client had stopped drinking and was trying to get his life on track but had relapsed for several months.

He said the man was keen to engage with support services and contribute to the community with unpaid work.

Mr McKenna also argued the 32 days his client had spent in custody since being arrested was an adequate punishment and said a community corrections order could address his rehabilitation.

Correction Victoria assessed the man overnight and deemed him unsuitable due to his inability to complete previous community-based orders.

Magistrate Southey told the court the deterioration of the man's mental health since entering his plea was concerning and said he was reluctant to release the man into the community given his history of violent and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Southey said the man was a threat to himself and the community and remanded him in custody, adjourning the case for a further hearing next week.