Girl admits assault on paramedics

A girl turned on three paramedics when they tried to treat her for an alcohol overdose, a youth court has heard.

The 16-year-old - who cannot be named for legal reasons - admitted three counts of assault in Street, Somerset.

She was told magistrates would consider a custodial sentence because of the seriousness of assaulting a public servant in the course of their duty.

In mitigation South Somerset Youth Court in Yeovil heard she could not remember anything about the incident.

'Shouting and screaming'

The court was told paramedics were called as she lay slumped against a shop in Street, Somerset on 22 December, following reports she had overdosed after a heavy drinking session.

As they lifted her to her feet the girl lunged shouting and screaming at paramedic Claire Davies who tried to get her into an ambulance, hitting the paramedic's shoulder and causing her to fall to the ground.

The court was told she then kicked Ms Davies in the groin before turning on her colleague Patrick Murphy, who she hit in the chest.

The girl apologised to the Ms Davies before trying to get back into the shop in the town's High Street and asking for more alcohol.

A third paramedic, Adrian Jones, told shop staff she was drunk and underage, and she head-butted him.

Letters of apology

Her defence told the court she could not remember anything about the incident and was "truly remorseful".

"She knows that the court will take this matter seriously given that these people were trying to help her and has written letters of apology to the paramedics," Sam Morton said in mitigation.

The girl also admitted a breach of a community punishment order handed down in October for theft from a car.

She is due to be sentenced on 28 January.

Speaking outside court a South Western Ambulance spokesman said it was the trust's policy to fully co-operate with police to prosecute those who carry out such attacks.

"We hope that the courts will reflect the severity of the offence when sentencing," spokesman Andrew Kirchin said.