Paramedic Basher Goes Free

A man who injured a female paramedic in a drug fuelled assault while she was trying to help him has walked free.

In January 2019 two paramedics were called to a property in Coburg, where they began treating a man who appeared to be affected by drugs. The man was in the ambulance when he became aggressive and violent towards the female paramedic. He put her in a headlock and repeatedly punched her in the face, causing head and facial injuries. Her male partner was also assaulted when he attempted to come to the aid of his partner.

The court's decision to let this perpetrator off represents a fundamental failure of the criminal justice system to protect frontline healthcare workers against violence and brutality.

This follows another disgraceful decision last year to allow two members of the public to walk free after being found guilty of assault prompted the introduction of mandatory sentencing laws.

The Justice Legislation Miscellaneous Amendment Bill 2018 made injuring an emergency care worker a category 1 offence under the Sentencing Act 1991, requiring a mandatory 6 months sentence if convicted.

Despite the introduction of the Amendment Bill, our members report a steady increase in verbal and physical assault, with many fearing they will become another victim the next time they go to work.

The message sent to the community today is one that leaves emergency workers feeling the courts can't or won't have their back when they need it most.

"Our members campaigned hard for changes to legislation to protect emergency workers. Today our members are left wondering 'what will it take for courts to send a message that assaulting a Paramedic is wrong"
"Paramedics will do anything for their patients and for the community but we are waiting for courts to have our back in the same we have theirs".
"Will it take the death of a paramedic before the Government takes action?"
- Danny Hill - General Secretary - Victorian Ambulance Union (VAU)