Queensland man sentenced after he spat in nurse's face and said 'I've got AIDS, now you've got it'
A Queensland man has been sentenced to a six-month suspended jail term after he spat in the face of a nurse and declared: “I’ve got AIDS, suck s***”.
Leslie Francis Marks had attended Toowoomba Hospital’s emergency department on August 29 2015, demanding treatment.
The Toowoomba Chronicle reports when a male nurse approached Marks and asked how he could help, the 31-year-old replied: “It’s in the f***ing letter,” referring to a doctor’s letter.
A court heard Marks was told to watch his language before calling the nurse a number of derogatory terms.
He was reportedly asked to leave and return again once he had calmed down.
The prosecution claimed as security and the nurse escorted Marks out of the hospital, he turned and spat in the nurse’s face.
He reportedly told the nurse: "I've got AIDS suck s***, now you've got it," Crown prosecutor Jessica Goldie said.
The Chronicle reports when police arrived at the scene to take him to the watch house, he attempted to spit on the attending police officers ‘a number of times’.
It’s reported that while in custody, Marks kicked at his cell door and when spoken too by a sergeant, he spat at the officer through the door hatch.
The court heard when police attempted to enter his cell, Marks spat again, striking the sergeant in the hand.
Marks pleaded guilty to three counts of serious assault.
The Chronicle reports his barrister described Marks as “his own worst enemy”.
A psychiatric report reportedly found Marks struggled controlling his emotions at the time of the offence.
Marks was sentenced to six months jail, but ordered the term be suspended for one year as he had already served two months.
News break – August 26
