Accused of spitting in face of TH male nurse

A WOMAN who police claim twice spat in the face of a Toowoomba Hospital nurse who was trying to help her has been charged with serious assault of a public official.

Roxanne Jade McGrady was also charged with obstructing police arising from her allegedly threatening a police officer the same evening.

The 34-year-old spent Friday night in the watch house before appearing in Toowoomba Magistrates Court Saturday morning to apply for release on parole.

Police claimed the 34-yearold was at Toowoomba Hospital’s Emergency Department about 8.20pm on Friday when she became agitated and verbally abusive toward hospital staff.

Objecting to bail, police prosecutor Sergeant Tim Hutton told the court the defendant’s behaviour was “disgraceful”.

“When people are trying to help you only to treat them the way she did is disgraceful,” he told the court.

Sgt Hutton said the woman twice spat in the face of a male nurse, the spittle striking him in the cheek and forehead.

The nurse had a surgical mask on but not a full face mask, he said.

Sgt Hutton sought and was granted by the court a disease test order of McGrady.

She was not required to enter any pleas to the charges.

Her solicitor Hamish Chapman told the court the mother of six lived in South Toowoomba and was willing to report regularly to police while on remand if granted bail.

Magistrate Julian Noud said there seemed to be “some strength to the prosecution case” but he would grant bail.

Mr Noud granted McGrady bail on condition she reside at an address given to the court and report to police each week.

The case was adjourned for mention back in the same court on September 20.