A BARRAGE of abuse has been directed at a Wagga Local Court magistrate by a man with a 60-page criminal record.
Jason Hurst, of Mount Austin, appeared in Wagga Local Court yesterday charged with breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO) on Tuesday.
The court sat in stunned silence as Hurst launched into an outburst of offensive name-calling aimed at magistrate Megan Greenwood.
“Stick it up your (expletive),” Hurst said.
“F... you, you (expletive).
“You (expletive).”
The comments were just some of the offensive language used during his court appearance.
Sitting in the dock, Hurst, 42, was clearly agitated, glaring at a corrective services officer and calling him a smart a... as he waited for his bail application to be heard.
Referring to Hurst’s lengthy criminal record, police prosecutor Priscilla Jones requested bail be refused because she was concerned Hurst might breach the AVO again.
When asked what he wished to say about the matter Hurst said he understood what he did was wrong, but refused to accept the order had been taken out to protect his father, as well as his aunt.
“I just went to ask my father for money; I know I shouldn’t have done it, I know it was the wrong thing to do,” Hurst said.
“My father isn’t the victim, the argument was with my aunt.
“I am trying to get my father taken off the AVO. I’ve got no argument with him.
“I wouldn’t do anything to a 72-year-old man,” he said.
He also promised not to commit further offences and to report to police and the courts.
When Ms Greenwood asked Hurst if he understood her concerns were not about his ability to report to the court, but the protection of the persons named in the AVO, Hurst expressed his frustration.
“You’re not listening, are you?” Hurst said.
“Yes, I am,” Ms Greenwood said.
“Ah, forget about it,” he replied.
“I have no concern about you attending court. My concern is about the victim and that you don’t seem to accept the AVO and the terms of the AVO,” she said.
Hurst stood up, asking corrective services to “get me out of here, chief” as Ms Greenwood formally refused bail.
Despite earlier being warned by Ms Greenwood foul language was not permitted in the court, Hurst unleashed the verbal abuse and derogatory names in response.
He refused to listen to Ms Greenwood’s guidance to seek legal advice in regards to his case, sticking his fingers in his ears and repeating the phase “No, I won’t” loudly before continuing his offensive language as he was removed from court.
Ms Greenwood attempted to give Hurst the option of appearing in person before court next week, but in the face of Hurst’s tirade chose to make the appearance via audio-visual link.
The incident is the second time in recent months a magistrate has received a foul-mouthed spray.
In November, magistrate Peter Dare found a man in contempt of court and sentenced him to a week in prison after the man subjected him to obscenities.
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