Paramedic's assaulter jailed
by Chris Bartter
A female paramedic who was attacked so badly whilst attending
a callout that she was unable to work for six months has thanked
UNISON for its support and expressed her satisfaction that
the man who assaulted her received a jail sentence.
Lynn Sutherland, a UNISON member and a paramedic based at
Livingston Ambulance Station, attended a callout in Harthill,
but was attacked by Grahame Donnelly who had consumed a considerable
amount of alcohol combined with pills.
She persuaded him not to smash a glass table he was threatening
her with, but he continued to rain down blows to her right
arm, back, chest and jaw. Lynn's injuries were so severe she
could not work for six months and has only recently returned
to performing light duties.
UNISON has been supporting her during this period and negotiated
the phased return to duty Lynn said, "I am pleased that the
courts are now treating assaults against ambulance staff seriously.
The message has to get out to people that attacking public
servants doing their job is not acceptable."
She also praised UNISON. "I was off work for six months after
this assault," she said, "If it hadn't been for the support
I got from UNISON this whole incident would have been even
more traumatic. They supported me and negotiated me a gradual
return to work. It just gives another reason why you should
join UNISON"
Karen McLachlan, Convenor of UNISON's Scottish Ambulance
Branch said, "Serious cases like this one bring it home to
the public exactly what our members are threatened with.
"Even in less severe attacks, the severer penalties now
available to the courts under the Emergency Workers Act, will
hopefully mean that the public will recognise that assaults
to and abuse of public service staff is wrong, and stem the
rising tide of violence against our members."
"We will always give our fullest support to members who are
faced with these attacks and campaign to stop these unacceptable
conditions which members have to put up with."
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