Paramedic assault at Orange Health Service lands Scott Leslie Hurst-Thomas in Orange Local Court

In April at least three Orange Health Service staff were abused by a man after he called triple-zero and sought their assistance.

Over several hours he verbally abused them, threatened violence, punched machinery, chased a nurse and required patients to be moved for their own safety.

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Scott Leslie Hurst-Thomas of the Mitchell Highway pleaded guilty to stalking, intimidation and affray charges at Orange Local Court on May 25, 2023.

The 36-year-old wore a gray hoodie and stared at the ground, cramped over, shaking his head. His partner and daughter sat in the public gallery.

"You certainly didn't see this 15 years ago ... I don't know what's going on," sentencing magistrate David Day said.

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Hurst-Thomas called an ambulance to his home about 1am on April 28, 2023. He was immediately hostile, telling one paramedic: "I'm going to punch you in the face."

At hospital he continued to make violent threats, referring to nurses as "spastic," "incompetent," "useless," and "motherf---ers."

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He later punched a fluids machine. Security restrained the man and called police after he attempted to hunt down one nurse who had left out of fear.

When officers attempted to speak to Hurst-Thomas, he said: "I'm in too much pain. Just f--- off."

In court, he again said chronic pain was responsible for his behavior.

"It's just outrageous ... who'd want to be a nurse now when you get that sort of treatment?" magistrate Day said.

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"I don't want to send him to Bloomfield because he'll probably assault staff there."

Scott Leslie Hurst-Thomas will be sentenced on August 9, 2023.

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