Man sentenced to 12 months for assaulting ambulance crew

A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison and ordered to pay a £156 surcharge after becoming aggressive towards two paramedics and punching one of them.

Luke Wilson, from West Street, Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty to two counts of Assault of an Emergency Worker at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on 8 October 2020. He also admitted to possessing a bladed article in a public area.

The incident occurred on 12 August 2020 when Wilson was found lying in a children’s play area in Scunthorpe. Paramedics Kevin Martin and his colleague arrived at the scene, where they encountered an intoxicated Wilson who became aggressive upon their arrival.

Wilson swung his arms towards the paramedics and began to shout abuse. He then punched one of the paramedics in the wrist when they tried to use their radio to request back-up assistance.

Paramedic Kevin Martin said: "When we arrived at the scene, we could tell that the man was conscious and breathing but it looked like he was intoxicated so we proceeded with caution. I am glad that these young children who phoned for an ambulance had decided not to approach this man as I dread to think how he would have behaved given the way he reacted to us."

EMAS, the East Midlands Ambulance Service, takes a zero-tolerance approach towards any assault on their staff. Kelvin Langford, Local Security Management Specialist at EMAS, stated: "Assaults on our staff are absolutely unacceptable and we take a zero-tolerance approach towards anyone who verbally or physically assaults them."

Langford added: "Our frontline colleagues, as well as our team in our 999-control room, are here to help people, not to be assaulted, and they deserve to be treated with respect. We will continue to support any of our colleagues who are assaulted on the frontline while trying to help others and to work with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute those who abuse our colleagues."

Paramedic Martin also highlighted that this was the second serious assault he had experienced in a short period, adding: "This is the second time I have experienced a serious assault like this in only a matter of months. It is concerning to see such incidents on the rise and underscores the importance of respecting emergency workers."

EMAS has been working closely with local authorities to address the issue of assaults on their staff, ensuring that those who threaten or attack them face the full force of the law.