Jail for West Bromwich man who attacked paramedic trying to help him
A man who attacked a paramedic who was trying to help him in a West Bromwich street has been jailed.
Scott Jones lashed out at the ambulance worker several times as police tried to lift him into the back of the emergency vehicle following a disturbance.
Police had been called to Vernon Street on August Bank Holiday Monday following reports that 23-year-old Scott had threatened a man and his son with a pool cue and a metal pole.
Patrick Bourne and his 17-year-old son Thomas told how Jones was “raging” and swearing in the street and wielding the weapons at them in a threatening manner.
The older man called the police but before a squad car arrived on the scene, Jones disappeared into nearby flats and returned with a shovel and ran towards the men in an aggressive manner, causing them to fear for their safety, said Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting.
When police and paramedics turned up, an extremely drunk Jones refused to get in an ambulance, instead dropping to the ground and kicking out wildly, the court was told.
Intoxicated
The paramedic was struck several times, falling backwards and injuring his back. Jones also caused £200 of damage to the ambulance door, which meant could no longer be closed, causing it to be taken out of service until it was repaired.
Defending him, Ms Nicole Steers said Jones had been so intoxicated he struggled to recall what happened that night. He remembered only that he he had himself been the victim of an attack and was in severe pain, she said. He had not armed himself to attack the Bournes. They just happened to be in close proximity when he ran into the street.
"It was simply a moment of madness. He says he was in agony and just lost his mind for a moment," said Ms Steers.
Jones, of Young Street, West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing offensive weapons, assaulting a paramedic, criminal damage and two cases of threatening behaviour.
Sentencing him to 16 months in prison, Judge Barry Berlin said: “You kicked out at an emergency worker, who was there to help you, and injured his back as a result.”
