Tyler Russell Wood accused of groping paramedics

A Lara man accused of groping female paramedics allegedly called triple-0 more than 200 times, a court has heard.

Tyler Wood is accused of touching female ambulance staff. Picture: Facebook

A Lara man accused of groping female paramedics in the back of an ambulance also allegedly called emergency services more than 200 times.

Tyler Russell Wood, 34, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday charged with a number of offences, including sexual assault, making false calls to emergency workers and assaulting emergency workers on duty.

Police allege Mr Wood would call emergency services complaining of back pain and stroke-like symptoms.

When the paramedics arrived to treat him, Mr Wood allegedly groped female staff.

The court heard Mr Wood told ambulance officers on several occations that he had an allergic reaction to fentanyl that would cause him to get an erection.

It was alleged in court that Mr Wood called emergency services 205 times between January 1, 2022 and September 28, 2023.

Senior Constable Regan McKeown-Munn said Mr Wood called triple-0 on June 12, 2022 and while being transported to hospital he told a female employee: “I don’t mean to be a creep but I’m supporting you”.

Moments later he allegedly cupped the woman’s left breast with his right hand for about two seconds.

The court heard the woman was in shock and was unable to finish her shift as a result of the emotional trauma she experienced.

Mr Wood is also accused of touching another paramedic’s inner thigh while in the back of ambulance on February 26 last year.

Constable McKeown-Munn said on May 4, last year, Mr Wood allegedly told female paramedics to “watch out” from him if they were “younger and prettier” and that he had previously assaulted paramedics.

Police allege on the same day, while in the back of an ambulance, he repositioned himself and touched an officer’s breast.

On May 25, last year, police allege Mr Wood began to tell one female staff member he was under investigation by police and then gestured that he wanted to squeeze her breasts while also making sexualised comments.

On August 23, last year, while being transported to hospital he allegedly threatened an ambulance officer by saying he wanted to “throw hands”.

Constable McKeown-Munn said on August 29, while being transported to hospital, Mr Wood allegedly touched a woman’s upper right thigh and buttocks, and five minutes later, attempted to touch the woman again.

The court heard Mr Wood, who is custody, would allegedly use payphones and various other numbers to call emergency services.

Magistrate Peter Mellas refused to grant bail and said Mr Wood presents a high risk of committing further offences if released into the community.

Originally published as Tyler Russell Wood accused of groping paramedics