Ambulance chief: Sentence for man who attacked paramedic was too lenient

The attacker was wearing steel-cap boots and kicked out at both staff, breaking the wrist of one and causing cuts and bruising to the legs of the other.

Adam James was only given a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years with 150 hours unpaid work after being convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault at Birmingham Crown Court last month.

West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive Anthony Marsh said: “I am almost lost for words. Anybody who deliberately attacks my staff should receive an immediate term of imprisonment.

“This would be a deterrent for anybody else who thinks it is OK to abuse and assault my staff.

“It is not OK and I have written to the Attorney General asking for a review of this case. The sentence was far, far too lenient.

“We need to ensure that the law is followed up by robust and comprehensive sentences. This sentence was neither appropriate nor proportionate.

“As well as the pain, suffering and emotional scarring of these staff, the public lost the services of two highly trained ambulance clinicians for a total of eight weeks.

“Those shifts had to be covered which meant overtime and additional cost to the NHS at a time when budgets are already stretched.”

James lashed out at the ambulance crew sent to help him after he was found unconscious in Birmingham city centre on July 12 last year.

He hurled abuse at them after coming round during their initial clinical assessment but they continued to treat him and persuaded him to have an ECG check and intravenous access be obtained for the administration of drugs if required.

Then he suddenly kicked out without warning, breaking the wrist of paramedic Amy Holtom and injuring her male colleague sufficiently for him to unable to resume operational duties for two weeks.

Miss Holtom, who was off sick for six weeks, recalled: “I was leaning forward when he kicked out and put my hands up to protect myself.

“The steel toe caps broke my wrist.”

She continued: “I was very angry and frustrated when I first heard he had been given a suspended sentence.

“Now I am just disappointed. I feel let down by a justice system that does not seem to be working. It needs to protect us so that we can protect other people. I would like to know what the sentence would have been if somebody had come into the judge’s court and assaulted him.

“I don’t think the outcome would have been as lenient as this. I think it is appalling and shows how little the courts think of us.”