Patrice Maree Hearne, 30, pleads guilty in Toowoomba District Court to serious assault

A former motocross star struggling, with the downfall of her career, attacked hospital staff with a bloody rag and falsely spouted a HIV diagnosis.

Patrice Maree Hearne pleaded guilty to serious assault after throwing blood-soaked rags at hospital staff. Picture: The Chronicle

During a mental health spiral, a former rising star of Toowoomba motocross assaulted hospital staff trying to support her.

Patrice Maree Hearne, now 30, pleaded guilty to serious assault before Toowoomba District Court on Monday after flinging a blood-soaked bandage at a hospital staffer’s face during a mental health struggle at the end of 2019.

The court was told Hearne was brought to Toowoomba Hospital in the midst of a life-threatening mental health episode.

A nurse was treating the young woman for a large wound on her foot when Hearne again threatened her own safety and security were forced to intervene.

“She then picked up the bloody bandage and she threw it at the complainant,” Crown prosecutor Emily Coley said.

“It struck (him) in the side of the head and the defendant then swore at him.”

Ms Coley said Hearne then mockingly told the officer she was infected with HIV, despite not having the disease.

Barrister Nathan Edridge argued Hearne had struggled with her mental health after a career-ending incident a few years before the attack.

“She was the Queensland and Australian champion in her category,” he said.

“She had a tragic accident during the state championship when she was age 23, causing a broken back.

“That put an immediate end permanently to my client’s career.”

Mr Edridge claimed Ms Hearne had consumed two bottles of vodka and various medicines before her admission into hospital.

“Until (her accident) she had no issues with alcohol at all,” he said.

“(She) is engaged in a mental health care plan and accepts that she has a drinking problem.”

Judge Vicki Loury KC sentenced Hearne to serve 80 hours of unpaid community service for her actions.

“This was a man who was simply trying to do his job and these were people who were just trying to help you – he did not deserve to be assaulted,” she said.

“You were young at the time and suffering under some mental health issues which provide some context as to how it came that you committed that offence.

“It is out of character for you.”

No conviction was recorded.