Alleged baby puncher faces assault changes

A man accused of punching a baby girl in the face at Sydney's Central Station had previously been diagnosed as psychotic and was an involuntary patient at several hospitals.

Magistrate Les Mabbutt on Friday said he was satisfied Nicholas Bolas may be mentally ill and ordered he be taken to a mental health facility for assessment.

Bolas, 28, came up from the cells without a shirt on at Central Local Court on Friday, having refused to wear a top.

It's alleged he approached the 16-month-old girl while she was in her pram at a cafe on Thursday and punched her in the face, leaving a small laceration.

The baby's father gave chase when Bolas fled the scene, police say.

He was later found in a nearby building and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard Bolas had been an involuntary patient at Caritas at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney in May and had left while on unescorted leave.

He had also been an involuntary patient in Queensland and had a number of property-related offences in the ACT.

Speaking to Bolas directly in the dock, Mr Mabbutt asked "Do you want to go back to hospital?"

"No, not really," Bolas replied.

He then asked Bolas when he last took medication.

"The defendant is staring at me blankly with no response," Mr Mabbutt said.