Bogus paramedic sentenced

A man, who assaulted a collapsed reveller while pretending to be a paramedic, has been given a rehabilitation order.

Gary Brooks, 30, of Loughborough, Leicestershire, assaulted his victim when she staggered helplessly out of a late-night bar.

He put on disposable rubber gloves while assuring bystanders that he was a qualified ambulance crew member.

His victim came out of the Loughborough bar complaining of dizziness and blurred vision.

Common assault

A jury failed to reach a verdict earlier this year after Brooks denied a charge of indecent assault, but pleaded guilty to a lesser offence of common assault.

Judge Peter Morrell sentenced Brooks to a three-year community rehabilitation order on Tuesday and ordered him to attend a sex offender programme.

He was also ordered to pay £150 costs.

In the trial at Leicester Crown Court, the jury heard that Brooks reversed his jacket to reveal the words 'Emergency medical technician.'

He told the court that he was not able to become a real paramedic because he could not read and write.

Judge Morrell warned Brooks that the rehabilitation order was not a soft option and that custody would be the punishment if he failed to comply.