Woman attacked paramedics after being treated in home and ambulance
A woman with a shocking history of violently attacking emergency workers, punched a paramedic twice after she was treated at her Pakenham home.
South East
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A woman with a shocking history of violently attacking emergency workers punched a paramedic twice after she was treated for chest pain at her Pakenham home.
Emily Huntingford, 37, pleaded guilty at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to three charges of assaulting an emergency worker on duty and one charge of contravening a conduct condition.
The court heard Huntingford requested an ambulance to attend her address due to ongoing chest pain in February 2021.
She was assessed in her bedroom but when paramedics were about to leave, Huntingford punched a paramedic twice, once on her arm and then on her leg.
In January last year, Huntingford attended Casey Hospital in Berwick.
She hit a nurse in the back with her hand and grabbed her right forearm causing a small cut.
On another occasion, Huntingford was in a back of an ambulance travelling to hospital when she became erratic.
She swung her fist at a paramedic multiple times and grabbed her right arm causing a scratch.
Huntingford’s lawyer Kymberley Skillen said her client lived at specialist disability accommodation and struggled with mental health.
“She had a very traumatic upbringing and presents with complex multiple needs,” she said.
“Custody is considered a high stimulus environment which causes considerable distress.”
Magistrate John O’Callaghan said Huntingford had a “very serious” history of assaulting emergency workers.
The court heard that paramedics would not attend her address without police being present.
During the hearing, Magistrate O’Callaghan questioned the woman about her violent offending.
“Do you have any remorse of hurting these people? Are you sorry for doing that?” he said.
“Yes I am,” she replied.
“Why should I believe you? You have done it a few times before,” Magistrate O’Callaghan said.
“Because I am a sorry,” she said.
Magistrate O’Callaghan said he was concerned by the woman’s behaviour.
“The bottom line is I’m giving you a chance,” he said.
“If in the next 12 months you do this again, I’m going to send you to jail.”
Huntingford was sentenced to a community corrections order for a period of 12 months.
