Patient punched paramedic on the arm

Karen Walsh, Ashleigh Crescent, Lurgan, admitted unlawful assault and disorderly behaviour in a corridor of the accident and emergency department.

For each offence she was sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the injured party.

The court heard that at 11.45pm on February 14 police were tasked to the defendant’s address where she was being treated by ambulance staff.

They were going to transport her to hospital and because she was co-operating police felt there was no need for them to accompany ambulance staff.

While lying in hospital Walsh thought that a female paramedic was talking about her. She became abusive, threw boxes of medication in the air and punched the injured party on the arm. The victim suffered bruising and pain and was left in shock.

Walsh said she could remember getting off the trolley and wanted to cry because she could not remember the assault. She expressed regret over the incident.

A defence barrister said she had taken alcohol mixed with her medication and had no memory of being taken to hospital. He added that a pre-sentence report showed she was assessed at being at a low risk of re-offending.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said the report indicated that Walsh had a high level of victim awareness and high degree of remorse.

He added that the court must take a serious view of assaults on medical personnel in the hospital.