Man left paramedic fearing for his life after horror hammer attack | UK | News
A man who left a paramedic fearing for his life after a fear hammer attack has been jailed. James Chandler, 49, of St Pauls in Bristol, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to 16 months in prison yesterday. The incident occurred on May 28 when an ambulance crew from South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) attended a property in Bristol to provide emergency care.
The court heard Chandler became aggressive as two paramedics responded to an emergency call to help him. A paramedic was targeted with a claw hammer at close range, but the attack narrowly missed his head, the court heard. In a statement following the sentencing, SWASFT said the ambulance crew then fled for their safety and activated the emergency alarm. The statement also stated that Avon and Somerset Police arrived at the scene following the attack and arrested the man accused of assaulting an emergency worker and threatening him with an offensive weapon.
During a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on July 16, Chandler was sentenced to 16 months in prison and will serve at least 40% of his sentence before potential release.
Judge Mr Justice Picton said at sentencing: “Understandably, you caused your victim great fear. He thought he was at risk of losing his life.”
The paramedic who was attacked said in a statement released by the ambulance service: “No one should feel unsafe doing their job, especially when working in a caring job. “Unfortunately we are often verbally abused, but thankfully physical abuse is less common, it still happens.
“I hope this shocking footage and successful investigation sends a clear message that violence and abuse towards emergency workers will not be tolerated. I would also like to thank my colleagues and Avon and Somerset Police for the support I have received since the incident.”
SWASFT Crime and Violence Reduction manager Mike Jones said the service “too often sees healthcare workers being subjected to extreme violence”.
SWASFT continued in its statement: “This was a horrific and truly life-threatening attack on ambulance staff. The paramedic involved was deliberately targeted with a claw hammer at extremely close range, which could easily have resulted in death.”
“Our staff come to work to provide care and treatment to patients. They should be able to do this without fear of violence, abuse or intimidation. Too often we see healthcare workers subjected to extreme violence simply for doing their job. This is not and will not be acceptable.”
The ambulance service said it continues to work closely with police and partner organizations across the South West to reduce violence and aggression towards medical staff and to protect and support those affected by such incidents.
