Two more paramedics bashed overnight in Caroline Springs

THE heads of Victoria’s powerful police and ambulance unions have sought an “urgent’’ meeting with Premier Daniel Andrews over a court decision to set free two women convicted of a violent attack on a paramedic.

THE heads of Victoria’s powerful police and ambulance unions have sought an “urgent’’ meeting with Premier Daniel Andrews over a court decision to set free two women convicted of a violent attack on a paramedic.

The women, Amanda Warren, 31, and Caris Underwood, 20, avoided prison this week after appealing jail sentences handed down to them over punching and kicking paramedic Paul Judd as he attended to a patient in Reservoir in April, 2016.

Warren also rammed the ambulance.

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Ambulance officers are abused every 50 minutes around the state. Picture: Supplied

Both women were originally sentenced to months-long jail terms, but on appeal it was reduced.

Warren was given an 14-day sentence, already served on remand, and a three-year community corrections order.

Underwood was given a two-year order.

Although mandatory jail terms applied to the pair for assaulting an emergency worker, discretion can be used by judges.

The County Court appeal decision has already been criticised by Health Minister Jill Hennessy, describing the result as “frustrating’’.

And after further attacks on paramedics over recent days, staff have resorted to scrawling the message “It’s not ok to assault paramedics’’ on the back of ambulances.

Two paramedics were bashed in a sickening attack at Caroline Springs train station last night.

Another paramedic was attacked early yesterday morning.

The government will now come under intense pressure to close the “legal loophole’’ despite assurances it is a priority.

Sergeant Wayne Gatt. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Steve McGhie.

In a letter addressed to Mr Andrews, Wayne Gatt and Steve McGhie, the respective heads of Victoria’s police and ambulance unions, called on the premier for a “iron-clad’’ guarantee for offenders to be jailed.

“While we welcome subsequent comments in the media attributed to Health Minister Hennessey that the Government intends to close the loopholes exploited in this case, these comments are, of themselves, not sufficient,’’ the letter states.

“We are seeking this urgent meeting with you so that our collective members can obtain ironclad assurances by you, on behalf of the Government, that you will act with urgency to guarantee that jail will mean jail for those who choose to assault an emergency services worker — no excuses; no ‘if, buts or maybes’.’’

Mr Gatt said mandatory sentencing clauses must be imposed by the courts.

“They must not remain open to being bypassed or ignored,’’ he said.

“We therefore expect that in closing loopholes that they be watertight and bolted shut.’’

The Police Association has been campaigning for law reforms, particularly on sentencing, following a jail term considered lenient given to two men over the shooting of policeman Ben Ashmole.

Sen Constable Ashmole was shot in the head while on a patrol in Melbourne’s north as he responded to attacks aimed at the homes of George and Roberta Williams in July, 2015.

One offender was jailed for a maximum of eight years while his co-offender received a maximum of seven years and 10 months.

“Since that time, both publicly and privately, (The Police Association) has focused on highlighting to various arms of Government through the Police Harm Working Group the loopholes that exist within the Sentencing Act 1991 that continue to allow offenders who assault emergency services workers to walk free from Court,’’ the letter, sent today, states.

“This week’s sorry case has been the last straw.

“Frankly, Premier, our paramedics, police, and PSOs have had enough! We look forward to urgently meeting with you to fix this issue once and for all.’’

As Victoria gears up for a state election in November, law and order has been a focus of the political battleground.

AMBOS KICKED, SPAT AT IN LATEST SHAMEFUL ATTACK

TWO more paramedics have been bashed in a sickening attack at Caroline Springs train station after being called to help a man who had collapsed.

The paramedics — a man and woman — were punched, kicked and spat at by a man in his 60s who had collapsed at the station about 9.40 last night.

“The man was intoxicated and became abusive and threatened paramedics,” an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed.

As he was being taken to hospital, the drunk man punched the male paramedic five times in the knee, thigh and abdomen.

He continued to attack the paramedics at the hospital, spitting at them, threatening them and kicking the female worker.

The duo continued their shift despite being attacked.

The shocking incident comes after a paramedic with 19 years on the job spoke out after being attacked yesterday morning.

The paramedic, Paul, said he attended a 12.40am call yesterday to a man who was unconscious after having too much to drink.

The crew tried to rouse the man who became verbally aggressive, spat at them and punched a paramedic once he was on the stretcher.

“(The punch) was a glancing blow fortunately but I’ve got a little bruise under my eye,” Paul said on 3AW.

Amanda Warren and Caris Underwood were spared jail for their drunken attack on a paramedic.

The drunk man ended up toppling the stretcher and Paul injured himself when trying to stop the 200kg piece of equipment tipping over.

“I’ve quite badly strained my back ... the pain, that’s been masked a little bit by painkillers given to me by the hospital.”

Paul said he still felt “numb” and didn’t know how to feel about the drunken man’s offer to apologise.

“Paramedics are exposed to occupational violence almost every shift and it’s been worsening year on year since I became an ambo,” Paul said.

Paul Judd has been unable to return to work after the attack. Picture: David Crosling

He said ambulance crews and paramedics had felt terribly let down by the justice system and he wanted to see a change in the culture.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman Mick Stephenson said Paul was expected to be off work for a fortnight recovering from his injuries.

“After the result in court the other day and after this incident, I would expect our paramedics to be far more cautious and, as a consequence, not ­attend patients whom they suspect may be dangerous.”

- Caroline Schelle

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