Headbutt ruins QAS veteran’s life, career

A 30-YEAR veteran paramedic had his life and career turned upside down by a headbutt from a teenager he was trying to help.

The paramedic, 55, attended a single vehicle car crash on Kleinton Rd, Meringandan, on September 30 last year and put the driver Kalab Aaron Ford into the ambulance.

The 19-year-old became agitated and attacked the paramedic in the back of the ambulance vehicle, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

The victim sustained a seriously broken nose which required surgery, police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Willson told the court.

Though a victim impact statement read aloud by Magistrate Kay Ryan, the paramedic explained that the incident had affected his life, family life and work life.

He had become irritable and argued with others.

He said 2019 was to be a special year and he and his wife and family were to go on a $30,000 trip overseas but that was abandoned due to his injuries.

Defence solicitor Kyna Morice told the court her client instructed he suffered claustrophobia and had been in shock at the time.

However, Ms Ryan noted Ford had not suffered concussion and had been fully conscious and aware of his surroundings.

Ms Ryan said a strong deterrent penalty had to be imposed to send a message to the community that assaulting medical people was unacceptable.

She sentenced Ford to three months in jail but ordered the whole term be suspended forthwith for nine months.