Oswaldtwistle man who attacked paramedic faces pubs ban (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Oswaldtwistle man who attacked paramedic faces pubs ban

9:43am Friday 9th July 2010 in News By Emma Cruces, Reporter

CITIZEN’S ARREST: Mr Higgins

A DRUNKEN man who assaulted a paramedic could be banned from every pub and club in Hyndburn.

Edwin Sutton, 60, of Lime Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, had passed out in his front garden when paramedics stopped to see if he needed medical help.

However, Sutton became abusive and pushed paramedic Eamonn Higgins into a concrete post.

The paramedic made a citizen’s arrest and police were called following the incident, on Sunday, June 6.

In court, Sutton pleaded guilty to assault and received a 22-week custodial sentence suspended for two years.

He is also facing being banned from the borough’s pubs and clubs under the Hyndburn Pub Watch scheme, which covers the North West Ambulance Service’s Stop Abuse Campaign.

Dad-of-one Mr Higgins, 42, from Accrington, who has been a paramedic for many years, said abusing ambulance staff would not be tolerated.

He said: “The ambulance service havea zero tolerance attitude to abusive behaviour we encounter, which is becoming more and more common.

"When you go out to a call, intending to help people, you don’t expect to be abused and assaulted and the message needs to be that it won’t be tolerated.”

Derek Cartwright, director of emergency service for North West Ambulance Service, also welcomed the sentence.

He said: “It is disgusting and totally unacceptable that violence is directed towards ambulance staff.

"Eamonn was just doing his job and trying to help this man.

“We hope it sends out a very clear message to anyone who assaults our crews, either verbally or physically, that they face prosecution and the possibility of a custodial sentence.”

A proposal to ban Sutton from pubs under Hyndburn’s Pub Watch Scheme will be decided at the group's meeting next month.