Paramedics assaulted after ‘panic attack’
MAN THOUGHT HE WAS
A CANNABISFUELLED attacker who “thought he was suffering a stroke” put a paramedic in a headlock.
Craig O’Rourke “suffered a panic attack” while at his Billingham home after returning from hospital where he was being treated for Covid-19. The 30-year-old also swung his right leg kicking the leg of one of the paramedics who was trying to place stickers on his chest.
O’Rourke, of Kirby Close, Billingham, previously pleaded guilty to beating two paramedics on Christmas Eve 2020. He appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for sentencing.
The court heard the paramedics from the North East Ambulance
Service (NEAS) went to O’Rourke’s home address prior to the assault. The emergency service workers were carrying out checks when O’Rourke lashed out, kicking one and putting another “in a headlock”.
O’Rourke told the workers he had used cannabis one hour before and consented to an electrocardiogram. The court heard the defendant was agitated and asked if he was going to die.
Rehana Haque, prosecuting, said the defendant swung his right leg, kicking one of the paramedics in the left knee who was trying to place the stickers on his chest. Ms
Haque said he then placed stickers on him again and he kicked the paramedic.
In a victim impact statement the paramedic said: “No one has the right to assault me it’s unacceptable.”
His colleague added: “It’s left me feeling angry and disappointed. I do not expect to come to work and get assaulted, he showed no respect. Since this incident I’m more apprehensive about attending addresses.”
The court heard O’Rourke has one conviction for one offence of dishonesty. Nick Ayres, mitigating, stated O’Rourke had been in hospital with Covid-19 prior to the incident. However, when he had returned home he “suffered a panic attack” and paramedics were phoned on his behalf. The Middlesbrough court also heard cannabis may have been a “trigger” to his behaviour as it may have “heightened the panic”.
Mr Ayres described the finding as “surprising” and said O’Rourke is “not addicted to cannabis”.
District Judge Marie Mallon stated that paramedics were “going about their duties for your benefit” as O’Rourke ‘thought he was having a stroke.’
However, she agreed it was an “isolated incident”. Judge Mallon handed O’Rourke a 12-month community order with a 150-hour unpaid work requirement. He must also pay £200 to each paramedic and £200 court costs.
SUFFERING A STROKE