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Bideford paramedic unable to return to work
A paramedic who was attacked by a group of lads while on duty has been left so traumatised he has been unable to return to work, a court has heard.Dieter Reid, of Barton Tors, Bideford, is the only one of four men involved in the incident to have been charged by police.The 19-year-old pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm during a hearing at North Devon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.The court was told how on August 20 last year paramedics were called to Mill Street in Bideford following concerns for the welfare of a drunken man.After initially being unable to find him, paramedic Trevor Wayborn and student medic Alice Box located Reid, who had made the call, on Lower Gunstone Street. Lyndsey Baker, for the prosecution, said after it became apparent that Reid was unable to walk, the pair decided to help him to the ambulance.She said: “The paramedic said it was not okay calling an ambulance because he was too drunk to get home and he became aggressive at this.The student medic tried to reason with the patient but he lunged at her.
He was prevented from assaulting her by Mr Wayborn, but he spun around hitting him in the face. Three males came running along and he shouted at the assistant to run away as he felt they we going to get a good kicking.Reading from an impact statement written by Mr Wayborn, Mrs Baker continued: “I was stunned and felt weak but I was so scared. I remember that I had to stay on my feet because I thought we were in big trouble.I felt in fear of my life and I was terrified that I would end up on the floor.”After the group of men ran away, Mrs Box assisted Mr Wayborn into the ambulance, where he was suffering from dizziness and vomiting. After showing signs of a serious head injury, Mr Wayborn was admitted to hospital with a suspected broken cheek bone, although scans showed no breakage occurred.However, Mrs Baker said since the incident Mr Wayborn had been suffering from significant psychological issues, with a psychiatrist diagnosing him with post traumatic stress disorder.He is fearful of a similar situation arising again,” Mrs Baker said. “He told the therapist that his old happy-go-lucky attitude has changed.
“Although initial nightmares have been subsiding he has been suffering sleep disturbance - contributing to his low mood.”Responding, Tony Dart, for the defence, said he believed the punch to Mr Wayborn’s face had been an accident.He said: “It’s certainly anunfortunate incident. This usavoury behaviour there’s certainly no defence to whatsoever.But he still has no memory of it at all. He regrets greatly his involvement.It doesn’t sound like the blow to Mr Wayborn was deliberate. There’s no suggestion that he deliberately tried to punch him.”Magistrates adjourned the hearing until June 3 for an all-options-open presentencing report to be prepared.Magistrate Judith Kauntze said: “I think it’s very pertinent to mention how important the service of the paramedics is to the whole of the community. The victim was serving the public and you were very abusive and the event was ongoing.
But the most significant point is there was significant psychological harm with evidence of post traumatic stress and significant implications both in his personal and work life.”