A patient at Lismore Base Hospital has been granted bail over an alleged assault on a nurse while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Trent Shane Exton, 30, of Goonellabah, was arrested at the 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 subject to a Community Correction Order.
Nurse assault allegation
Police allege Exton spat on a nurse on July 22 while he was a patient at Lismore Base Hospital.
He remained in hospital for 14 days before being arrested and charged over the alleged assault when he was discharged.
The court also heard Exton had three outstanding warrants relating to separate matters.
Police oppose bail
Police opposed bail on the alleged nurse assault charge, with prosecutor Sergeant Safari raising concerns about further offending and community safety.
Judge Robinson nevertheless 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 illicit drugs and submit to breath or saliva testing if directed by police.
The outstanding matters and the nurse assault charge are due to return to Lismore Local Court on August 10.
A person charged with an offence is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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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.