Drunk assaulted paramedic

Oct 14 2010 by Debbie Hall, West Lothian Courier

A DRUNK lying in the street with a head injury assaulted a paramedic who was trying to help him.

Martin Cross (49), of 19 Roseberry Place, Livingston, pled guilty to attacking the paramedic, struggling violently with him and attempting to bite him on September 12 this year.

He also admitted committing a breach of the peace at St John’s Hospital on the same day.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard that paramedics were called to Main Street in Deans in response to reports of a man lying unconscious on the ground with head injuries and after finding Cross, they put him in the back of an ambulance.

Depute Fiscal Graham Fraser continued: “They put the accused in the back of the ambulance and he became aggressive and would not let the medical staff examine him.

“He was lying on the trolley bed in the ambulance when he kicked out and struck one of the paramedics to his face.

“The police were called and the paramedic’s face began to swell as a result of being struck.

“The police arrived and found the accused still being restrained, so he was handcuffed.”

Because he had sustained a head injury, Cross was taken to St John’s Hospital, where he continued to be aggressive, shouting and swearing in at staff.

He refused to accept treatment from doctors there and other patients became alarmed by his behaviour.

Cross’ solicitor, Gordon Henderson, said his client was embarrassed by his behaviour.

“He is really ashamed and disgusted by the way in which he behaved that day,” said Mr Henderson.

“Ironically, he had gone without money for a while after having his benefits suspended and having them restored was a cause for celebration, which turned into a bad situation for him and the others involved.

“After some 18 years of peaceful living, Mr Cross this can be described as being out of character for him.

“It is of no coincidence that there has been a resurgence of some mental health problems about three months ago.

Sheriff Martin Edington ordered Cross to carry out 160 hours of community service, fined him £335 and told him to pay £250 compensation to the paramedic, describing his behaviour as “disgraceful”.