Paramedics maintain rage in assault fallout
FURIOUS paramedics are likely to return to court next month when a French backpacker is due to be sentenced over an alleged attack on their colleague.
Tom Eckersley, solicitor for Timothee Leon Laurent Rousselle, 21, yesterday indicated his client would plead guilty to seriously assaulting a public officer when the case returns to court next month.
About 40 paramedics, union officials and supporters staged a silent protest over the alleged incident as they emerged from court.
But Mr Eckersley pushed through the picket line as Mr Rousselle shielded his face from the waiting protesters and media scrum.
It is alleged paramedics were called to the Asylum backpacker hostel in Cairns North late last month to treat Mr Rousselle, but he turned on them, punching the female officer in the head and dragging her out of an ambulance.
He allegedly had to be restrained by her colleague before police arrived.
Speaking outside court paramedic and United Voice spokeswoman Jen Miran said they wanted action when the case was finalised.
“We want the sentencing to be fair and firm and to send that message that this behaviour is not going to be tolerated,” she said.
It is due to return to court on November 21.
Ms Miran said the paramedic allegedly assaulted was “doing well” and had received strong support from colleagues.
She said paramedics hoped to send a strong message with the protest.
Ms Miran said the alleged incident had caused widespread concern for personal safety throughout Far North paramedic staff.
“We come to work now and there’s an element of stress,’' Ms Miran said.
“You wonder, ‘am I going to be assaulted today when I come to work?’ and that’s not the working environment we want to be in and that’s not what we chose.
“We came to work to help people and that’s what we want to do.”
Barron River MP and former paramedic Craig Crawford joined the protest and said it was an issue close to his heart, but it wasn’t isolated to paramedics.
“It doesn’t matter what your job is, if you’re going to work and you’re thinking tonight might be the night that I get hurt, you don’t want to go to work,” Mr Crawford said.
“No one, it doesn’t matter who you are, should have to feel that way when they’re picking up the car keys to do a shift.
“This is about highlighting to the community that this issue is very real, that this issue is very now and this issue is very big.”
Mr Rousselle remains on bail. He is under strict conditions not to leave Cairns and has surrendered his passport.
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