Appeal jails paramedic attackers

The paramedics were responding to an emergency call when attacked

Two men placed on probation and ordered to carry out community service after attacking paramedics attending a call have been jailed on appeal.

Judges said the original sentences on Paul Thomson, 19, and Stuart Dick, 21, for the attack in June 2004 were "plainly inadequate" and no deterrent.

Thomson was sentenced to 30 months in a young offenders' institution and Dick jailed for 30 months.

They attacked paramedics in Glasgow who had come to the aid of their friend.

Thomson and Dick attacked paramedics Stephen Rutherford and Scott McLeod in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire.

This case involved a serious attack on innocent public servants Lord Gill

Mr Rutherford, 38, was repeatedly punched, kicked and hit with a belt.

He needed three stitches and has bought protective clothing to wear while working.

Mr McLeod, 37, was also punched and kicked and hit with a torch.

He was off work for six weeks and the appeal judges heard he was nervous about doing his job, particularly when dealing with groups of people.

'Unduly lenient'

Thomson, of Thornliebank, and Dick, of East Kilbride, admitted the assaults at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

They were placed on probation and sentenced to 220 hours community service.

Prosecutors took the case to the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh.

They claimed Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill QC was lenient in sentencing the pair.

Appeal judges quashed the penalties she imposed because they were unduly lenient.

Scotland's second most senior judge, the Lord Justice Clerk Lord Gill, said: "The main sentencing consideration in this case is undoubtedly the nature of the offence which involved a serious attack on innocent public servants and deprived the public of their services."