Paramedic assaulted in ambulance as it drove along Kirkcaldy Esplanade

Austin Scott, of Rowan Road, Kent and formerly Alison Street, Kirkcaldy, had his case call before Sheriff Alistair Thornton at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Scott, 32 admitted that on January 3 last year at an address in Dunnikier Road he assaulted, obstructed or hindered a paramedic and did seize him by the body, lift him from the ground, push him on the body and struggle with him contrary to the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005.

The Procurator Fiscal Depute told the court an ambulance was sent to an address in Alison Street after receiving a call about a man experiencing chest pain:

She continued: “The paramedics took the accused to hospital for further tests. As it drove along the Esplanade the accused demanded to get out.

"He jumped up and started to scream. He pinned one of the paramedics to the back of the ambulance after he had picked him up and pushed him backwards.

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"The ambulance was stopped and another paramedic went to assist his colleague who was pinned to the back of the vehicle by the accused. The accused’s hands were above his head as if he was going to strike the paramedic and his colleague could not get him off of him due to his size.

"He instead picked up a piece of nearby equipment and hit him once and the accused fell to the floor. Police were contacted.

"The accused was taken to Kirkcaldy hospital where he was cautioned and charged.”

Scott’s defence agent said it was undoubtedly a serious offence which his client recognises.

“He has no recollection of what happened. He is 32 years old and no previous convictions for this type of assault. He was going through a difficult time due to his personal circumstances at the time of the offence, his grandmother had passed away. He went out and had far too much to drink and had taken cocaine which is why he has no recollection.”

He said Scott had sought help for his behaviour.

Sheriff Thornton placed him under supervision for 18 months and ordered him to do 250 hours of unpaid work in the community within 12 months.

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