A patient at Lismore Base Hospital has been bailed over an alleged nurse assault, after spitting on staff during treatment in the hospital’s mental health unit.
The man was arrested at the Lismore Hospital on Wednesday and appeared before Judge L Robinson in Bail Division later that day.
He was granted bail despite having three outstanding warrants and being on an active community correction order.
Nurse assault allegation
Police allege Trent Shane Exton, 30, of Goonellabah spat on a nurse on July 22 while a patient in the unit.
He remained in hospital for 14 days, and was arrested and charged with assaulting a nurse without causing injury upon his discharge.
While Exton was in hospital, six unrelated matters were dealt with in his absence at Lismore Local Court on July 27, with guilty findings recorded on three shoplifting offences and three counts of entering enclosed land without a lawful excuse.
The court fined Exton $900 for the enclosed land offences and issued three warrants to bring him before the court for sentencing on the shoplifting charges.
Recent prison term and community correction order
Exton has a extensive criminal history and was jailed for eight months in late October 2025 for stalking or intimidation and a knife offence, serving just over four months before his release on parole in March 2026. That parole period ended in June.
He is currently serving an 18-month Community Correction Order for separate charges of common assault, drug possession and dealing with suspected stolen goods.
That order, which runs until September 2027, requires him not to commit any offence while it remains in force — a condition he would breach if convicted of the fresh nurse assault charge.
Police oppose bail
Police opposed bail on the nurse assault charge, with prosecutor Sergeant Safari citing concerns about further offending and community safety.
Despite that opposition, Judge Robinson granted Exton conditional bail.
Under his bail conditions, Exton must live at his nominated Goonellabah address and report to Lismore Police Station twice a week.
He is banned from entering the Woolworths or Coles stores at Goonellabah, and must contact the Lismore Community Mental Health Team.
He must also abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs, submitting to a breath or saliva test if directed by Police.
The shoplifting matters and the nurse assault charge will return to Lismore Local Court on August 10.
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He should not have been released on bail, bail should have been denied. The courts & judge’s must be held accountable for their desicions to release repeat offenders who continually breach bail conditions.
Oh its Magistrate Robinson again with his Judges cap on again. Slap on the hand again. What happened to alcohol & drug addiction help while on bail. Are our gaols full or is someone in the know here? Oh thats right let him out again to re-offend. Quick fix with a fine he wont be able pay.
Bloody joke.