A man who bit and spat at emergency service workers treating him after he crashed a car into a pole in Ballarat, was sentenced to 12 months’ jail.
Shane Hedges, 33, appeared at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to 17 charges including assaulting an emergency worker.
Hedges was five times the legal limit and tested positive for cannabis when police found him slumped over the steering wheel of a car he crashed in Joseph Street on September 19, the court heard.
The court heard Hedges refused to undergo a breath test and had to be restrained when he was taken by police to hospital for treatment.
Hedges become aggressive and began spitting at walls, security staff and emergency service workers trying to treat him, the court heard.
He then lashed out and bit the arm of a doctor who was treating him, before he spat in the eye of another hospital employee,
In sentencing Hedges, magistrate Cynthia Toose said the incident would have been “extremely traumatic” for the staff involved, two of whom had to undergo testing for transmittable diseases after the incident.
“Emergency service personal, police officers, doctors and the fire brigade are all there for benefit of the community,” Ms Toose said.
“You’re conduct was, in effect, disgraceful.”
Ms Toose said the actions of Hedges impacted the ability of hospital staff who were attacked, to engage in normal relationships with their families while they awaited the outcome of tests.
“It limits their relationships with their wives, they may have to stop hugging and kissing their own children.”
Ms Toose said among the most concerning charges, was stolen property police found in Hedge’s possession, including a chainsaw which she believed was taken during the burglary of a rural property.
The court also heard Hedges was involved in another incident at a Barkly Street house in 2013, where he visited the house of an ex partner whose young daughter was present.
The court heard he used a fence post to hit another man over the head, beating him so hard the pole snapped in half and left the man with serious lacerations on his ear.
Hedges also faced a string of driving offences, the court heard.
Ms Toose said Hedges seemed to often lack remorse and accountability for his action and had made no attempt to rehabilitate himself. “I urge you to take this opportunity to take courses to assist with rehabilitation,” Ms Toose said.
She also fined Hedges $1500 and disqualified his driver’s license for at least four years.
