Man sent to prison after hitting EMT

Side of RRV with lozenge

A man has received a prison sentence after hitting and spitting at an ambulance technician.

Levi Cornthwaite was jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay £125 compensation after being convicted of assault by beating and criminal damage.

His victim, emergency medical technician Graham Hillman, was on duty in Huntingdon on the night of 10th October, when he and his crew mate attended Cornthwaite, who was reported to be unconscious.

However, the patient, who was intoxicated, became aggressive when they arrived and lashed out, breaking Graham’s glasses.

Police were called and the patient was handcuffed to the ambulance trolley where he spat in the EMT’s face.

Cornthwaite was sentenced at a hearing at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on 29th December.

Graham, who has worked for the Trust for four years, said: “It is one of the most disgusting things that one person can do to another. Lashing out is bad enough, but spitting is disgusting. It makes me more wary and realise that not everyone is grateful to see us or fully in control.

“It is not the first time I have experienced violence, but is the first time I felt it needed to be reported and press charges. The sentence validates the view that this behaviour is totally unacceptable. We were off the road for four hours because of what he did.

"As 999 emergency ambulance staff, our only concern for our patients is to help them in every way that we can. We should be able to do this without fear of being attacked, assaulted or having our personal property damaged in the process of doing so."

If you’ve been assaulted at work and you want guidance or support, please contact Local Security Management Specialist Anne Wright, at anne.wright@eastamb.nhs.uk

Published 29th January, 2016

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