Man who attacked an ambulance crew in Blyth avoids jail and must pay £1,400 in compensation
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The incident took place on Monday, July 13 when paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) attended an address in Blyth after receiving reports of a drug overdose.
While they worked to treat a patient, 28-year-old Gallagher became aggressive and abusive towards the medical team.
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Hide AdWhen asked to calm down by student paramedic Andrew Raisbeck, Gallagher punched him and knocked him to the floor causing injuries to his eyebrow, back and ribs – Mr Raisbeck later required hospital treatment.
Northumbria Police were called to the scene when Gallagher cracked the glass of the ambulance with a brick after paramedics sought shelter while trying to work on the patient.
Gallagher then picked up a pillar from a nearby broken wall and threw it at the cracked glass, causing it to shatter and injuring clinical care assistant Chris Bradley in the process.
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Hide AdGallagher, of Blyth Street, Seaton Deleval pleaded guilty to four charges of assault of an emergency worker, common assault, criminal damage and resisting a police officer in execution of their duty.
During sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, August 10, the judge said that Gallagher’s behaviour had been “appalling” and despite the crime warranting a custodial sentence, mitigating circumstances meant he escaped prison.
Gallagher received a eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to pay £400 compensation to the student paramedic and £1,000 compensation to NEAS for the damage caused to the vehicle, as well as having to undertake 200 hours unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation days.
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