Man admits he attacked ambulance staff on call

A MAN has admitted assaulting ambulance workers in one of three incidents with working paramedics.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said three of its crews were involved in separate incidents in Blyth, South Shields and South Hetton on Saturday.

The incidents came as the government considered doubling the sentences for those who attacked emergency workers.

Luke Gallagher, 28, is due to be sentenced for the Blyth attack at Newcastle Crown Court on August 10.

Gallagher, from Seaton Delaval, admitted two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and obstructing a police officer when he appeared at Bedlington Magistrates’ Court.

NEAS said that the attack took place at an address in Blyth just before 6pm on Saturday when they received a call to a man who had taken a suspected drugs overdose.

When the crew arrived, another man in the same house became aggressive and assaulted one of the crew. All three crew members retreated to the ambulance and locked themselves in the back with the patient, who still required treatment.

Alan Palin, 66, of Wilfred Street, Boldon Colliery, has been charged with assault of an emergency worker in South Shields, as well as criminal damage and threatening behaviour. He will appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on August 25.

Durham Constabulary said a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and police officer following the South Hetton incident. He has been released under investigation.

NEAS deputy chief executive Paul Liversidge said people who assault emergency workers need to be swiftly and appropriately dealt with.