Security guards spit on, bitten in 'appalling' attack at hospital

Todd Pineo's "appalling behaviour" during a May incident at Sault Area Hospital has resulted in his access to the local medical facility restricted.

The 47-year-old assaulted security guards — spitting on two of the officers and biting one on the hand.

Pineo also yelled racial slurs and jumped on another guard, prosecutor Adrianna Mucciarelli told a judge last week.

The Crown and defence recommended a time-served sentence, plus 24 months probation.

The accused's counsel Antoine Rene Fabris said his client has suffered mental health issues throughout his life.

Pineo had valid medical issues when he went to the Sault hospital on May 17, the Elliot Lake lawyer explained.

He "became frantic and lost control of his senses," Fabris told Ontario Court Justice John Condon. "He responds well to counselling and has a lot of medical issues."

Fabris said the accused, who is from Spanish, has served a substantial period of custody for the offence.

When asked if there was anything he wanted to tell the court, Pineo responded "hopefully I will never see you again."

He pleaded guilty to the assault charge via Zoom from the Sudbury District Jail.

Condon called his behaviour "appalling" and "physically abusive."

Aside from assaulting the security personnel, who were doing their job, Pineo spit on two of the guards and bit one, which the judge described as "invasive conduct." He also made racial comments.

"I'm sure they had to be tested," the judge said.

With the enhanced credit he received for the time he has spent in pre-sentence custody, Pineo's jail time is the equivalent of 141 days behind bars.

During his two-year probation, Pineo can only go to SAH for emergencies or scheduled appointments.

He can't communicate with the victims and must remain 50 metres away from them.

Condon imposed a five-year weapons prohibition and ordered him to provide a DNA sample for the national registry.

Pineo also faces May 21 charges stemming from a disturbance at the hospital in Elliot Lake.

He is accused of pulling a fire alarm and threatening to kill staff and blow up the building.

The Sault court heard he's been released on bail on these charges.