Police: NUMC patient turns violent, sets bed sheets on fire

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A patient at Nassau University Medical Center allegedly became violent when he was not given the treatment he requested, knocking out his doctor, punching a public safety officer in the face and, later, setting fire to his bed sheets.

According to police, Joseph Hores, 56, of Freeport, demanded specific treatment from his 54-year-old doctor and, when not given it, kicked the doctor in the face, knocking him unconscious.

When hospital public safety intervened, Hores punched a 44-year-old officer in the face. He was restrained to his bed, but gained access to a cigarette lighter and set fire to his bed sheets.

The fire was immediately extinguished by hospital staff and, concurrently, the doctor was treated for a concussion and the officer was treated for a contusion.

Hores was arrested and faces charges of second-degree assault, fifth-degree arson and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arraigned on Aug. 19 and is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, which does not comment on pending cases.