Reward to catch vehicle attackers

Paramedic Nick Horobin lost an eye

Derbyshire Police and Crimestoppers have offered a £5,000 reward in an attempt to catch those responsible for a spate of attacks on the roads around Ashbourne.

Since July, the police have received 49 reports of objects being thrown at the windscreens of vehicles on the A52, A515 and A517.

In the worst incident, paramedic Nick Horobin from Uttoxeter lost an eye and suffered serious head injuries when a brick was thrown through the windscreen of his ambulance.

I would like to meet the person who did it but whether I'd be able to control myself is another question

Paramedic Nick Horobin

Detectives say the reward they are offering might make all the difference in catching those responsible for the attacks.

They have also called in experts to help determine what kind of person might be responsible and have set up roadblocks.

Return to work

On Monday, Mr Horobin spoke for the first time of the incident and said that despite his injuries, he is determined to work again.

His ambulance crashed following the attack at Shirley Hollow, Derbyshire a month ago.

He spent nine hours in surgery but doctors were unable to save his right eye.

Mr Horobin does not know when he will be able to leave hospital.

But he said he hopes to eventually return to a different job in the ambulance service.

"I can't believe that somebody could be so stupid. I've got to spend the next, how many weeks, in hospital.

"I would like to meet the person who did it but whether I'd be able to control myself is another question."

Tougher sentences

Mr Horobin now has 18 plates holding his face together.

Since regaining consciousness, Mr Horobin has proposed to his girlfriend and is now looking forward to getting married.

The attack on his vehicle has led to calls for more help from the public in protecting emergency services workers.

Ambulance services from across the Midlands have also demanded tougher sentences on people who attack their staff.