Nuneaton man jailed for assaulting paramedic

David Neal, aged 36, of Vale View, Nuneaton, has been jailed for six months after pleading guilty to seven counts of assault.

One of the assaults was against a West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic.

This incident occurred when an ambulance was called to a house on Tryan Road, Nuneaton on Sunday (12 November). Neal head butted the paramedic after he was refused entry to the house.

The paramedic suffered face injuries that required hospital attention.

The other incidents all occurred in Nuneaton between September and November.

PC Craig Wilson said: "Neal has pleaded guilty to a number of nasty assaults for which he has quite rightly been sent to prison.

"Emergency service personnel put themselves in harms way every day to help and protect members of the community. Like everyone else they have a right to work safely and without the threat of violence. This conviction sends a message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated."

West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: "This was an abhorrent attack on a member of staff who was simply trying to help a patient in their hour of need. It is never ok to assault our staff. I am delighted that on this occasion, the Magistrate has shown that such action will not be tolerated and handed down a custodial sentence.

"This is just the sort of action we need on a far more regular basis by the Courts so that people understand that attacking our staff is not acceptable. Providing protection for our staff is a must and this type of sentence helps to do that."