Man who allegedly punched Melbourne paramedic apologises

A man who allegedly punched a Melbourne paramedic has apologised to the victim via the evening news.

A man who allegedly assaulted a Melbourne paramedic says he is sorry for the incident.

A man who allegedly punched a Melbourne paramedic has apologised to the victim via the evening news tonight.

Wishwan Seetloo, 22, passed out at a wedding celebration in Epping shortly after midnight today. When he woke up, he allegedly spat at members of an ambulance team and then punched a 44 year-old paramedic.

Mr Seetloo told Ten Eyewitness News he could not remember what happened after the ambulance was called.

“I wasn’t conscious. I don’t know what I was doing,” he said.

“I would like to apologise because I don’t want this happening to anybody. I want to say sorry for it.”

The 44-year-old paramedic was left with back injuries when Mr Seetloo allegedly went to punch him, as both his attacker and a stretcher toppled on him.

Mr Seetloo has not yet been charged over the assault and the investigation is ongoing, Victoria Police said.

In 2014 Victoria introduced mandatory six-month prison terms for people who assault emergency workers. However, problems with the laws emerged after two women, pleaded guilty to assaulting an ambulance officer, and were allowed to walk free from court after an appeal.

Premier Daniel Andrews promised to tighten sentencing laws.

“We’re going to take the time to get this right. Poor drafting is perhaps one of the reasons we are ... talking about this,” the Premier said today.

“The other reason is, of course, that some people think it’s OK to behave this way.”

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said he will introduce a private member’s bill next week to make jail time mandatory for anyone who assaults a paramedic.

“Our emergency services workers put their lives on the line to protect us. They are the ones that protect us. They need to be protected by the Parliament,” he said.