Illawarra man says he’s ‘very sorry’ for ‘punching’ paramedic

A man accused of assaulting a paramedic in the Wollongong CBD last month says he is “very sorry” for his actions and will plead not guilty to his charges.

Nathan Black, 53, leaves Wollongong Court on May 21.

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A man accused of assaulting a paramedic in the Wollongong CBD last month says he is “very sorry” for his actions and will plead not guilty to his charges.

Nathan Black, 53, fronted Wollongong Court for the first time on Tuesday, after an alleged altercation left a female paramedic with bruising to her cheek.

About 9pm on Tuesday, April 2 Black was travelling towards a shopping precinct on Crown Street on his mobility scooter when he crashed into a wall and fell out of the vehicle.

Police say members of the public came to his aid, including two NSW Ambulance paramedics. Black is then alleged to have punched one of the paramedics to the face as they loaded him into ambulance.

Appearing before a registrar at Wollongong Local Court, Black pleaded not guilty to one charge of common assault.

Outside court, Black he said the incident was a “misunderstanding” but that he did not mean to hurt the paramedic.

“I’m very sorry I touched her but I didn’t intentionally do it,” he said.

“I’m very apologetic that I touched her, it was all just an accident. I hope it can cleared up and sorted out.”

Black will return to court next month.

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