Moonlighting ambulanceman jailed

Mr Goodwin worked as an ambulance driver for 25 years

An ambulanceman has been jailed for working as a bus driver while claiming thousands in sick pay.

Leon Goldwater, from Workington, Cumbria, signed off work after claiming the death of a boy had severely traumatised him.

But over the next eight months the 46-year-old worked as a coach driver for a friend's firm, while claiming almost £9,500 in sick pay.

He was jailed for 12 months at Carlisle Crown Court after being found guilty of eight offences of obtaining money transfers by deception.

'Expect' prison

Mr Goldwater said he was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after dealing with the death of a four-year-old child, fatally injured in an accident on a farm three years before he was sacked.

He claimed that having to deal with horrific 999 incidents had rendered him unfit for his ambulance work, but did not affect his ability to drive coaches.

But sentencing him, Judge Barbara Forrester said anyone who hoodwinked their bosses in a similar way could also expect being sent to prison.

She said: "Anyone who obtains money falsely from their employer has to expect a prison sentence."

Goldwater said he joined the Cumbria Ambulance Service because he loved helping people.

His 25-year ambulance career earned him medals for long-service and good conduct.