Coffs Coast man jailed for attacking hospital worker after horror crash

The Coffs Coast father scratched and tried to spit on a healthcare worker who was attempting to treat him after a horror crash, a court heard.

A Coffs Coast father who violently attacked a hospital worker after he was involved in a horror car crash has been sentenced to jail.

Benjamin Robert Matley came before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday on a charge of common assault in relation to the October 2020 incident.

The business owner and handyman, who had been remanded in custody for several months, appeared before the court via audiovisual link.

It was heard that Matley had been driving along Taylors Arm Rd when his car struck a pothole, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. The car was said to have flipped six times and Matley’s right arm was seriously injured after it had fallen out the open window.

The defence said Matley was in shock when he was committed to Coffs Harbour hospital for treatment, and he had “no memory” of the violent incident which then unfolded.

The man was taken to Coffs Harbour hospital after the crash.

It was heard Matley grew agitated and removed a plastic tube which had been inserted in his arm, causing blood to spray on the floor.

During the ensuing assault one of the healthcare workers treating Matley sustained scratches down their arm and was “kneed to the groin,” it was heard.

The court heard the worker was forced to use their hand to push Matley’s jaw away as he attempted to spit on them.

The defence told Magistrate Ian Rodgers that Matley had been under the influence of painkillers at the time and wasn’t in the “right state of mind” following the crash.

They revealed Matley’s injury was so serious that he would never have full use of his right arm again, and he was in fear of contracting hepatitis from fellow inmates due to the wound still being open.

The man faced sentencing at Coffs Harbour Local Court this week.

“I can see it’s serious because it was an assault on a hospital worker in the workplace – it doesn’t get more serious than that,” they said.

“He is genuinely remorseful for the way he acted.”

Magistrate Rodgers acknowledged Matley’s hardships, including a troubled upbringing, but said his conduct needed to be denounced.

Matley was convicted and sentenced to jail for ten months, with a non-parole period of five months.

“It involves an assault on a person working in a hospital who is just trying to do their job, to help people,” the Magistrate said.

“ … There is no other sentence that can be imposed in my view.”

Due to time he has already served in custody, Matley will be eligible for release later this month.