A MAN banned from using violence towards NHS staff by a criminal behaviour order has been jailed for nine months after assaulting a paramedic.

Blackburn magistrates heard Derek France Sergeant pushed the paramedic as she tried to stop him opening the back door of a moving ambulance.

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And when he was eventually taken to hospital Sergeant was abusive towards staff.

Sergeant, 57, of the Islington Motel, Great Bolton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Cheryl Schofield and breach of a criminal behaviour order which put him in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed in May.

He was jailed for 18 weeks for the latest breach and a further 18 weeks for breaching the suspended sentence order.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Sergeant had a history of nuisance involving NHS staff. His behaviour eventually lead to the CRASBO being made in January 2015.

“He has breached that order fairly regularly and in May was made subject to a suspended prison sentence for another breach,” said Miss Allan.

She said on June 22 paramedics were called to the canal towpath following reports of a man who had been found lying on the floor and unresponsive. Sergeant was in a dishevelled state and was clearly drunk.

“They managed to get him into the ambulance but 30 seconds after they had set off Miss Schofield saw Sergeant at the back door with his hand on the catch,” said Miss Allan.

“As she tried to stop him opening the door he pushed her over, causing her to bang her leg on a stretcher.”

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Sergeant had drunk an “enormous” amount of cider before passing out.

“He has no recollection of the incident,” said Mr Taylor. “He has been desperately trying to get his own accommodation so he can get away from the drink and drug culture at the Islington, which can only be described as woeful accommodation.”