By Steve Kelly
A 20 year old man who headbutted a female paramedic as she tried to treat him has been jailed.
Warrington Crown Court heard last Thursday how Liam Waite, aged 21, of Bridge Street, Runcorn, attacked the woman at the YMCA, in Halton Lodge Avenue, Halton Lodge, in the town on December 20 last year.
Joanne Parsons, prosecuting, said it was the first time the woman had been attacked during her 12-year career.
“As soon as the paramedic tried to speak to him he responded in foul language,” she said.
“The defendant became agressive and was kicking out.”
“Two officers arrived helping to put the defendant in the wheelchair at that point he seemed to calm down.”
The attack occurred while Waite, who was drunk at the time, was on licence from prison after he was sentenced to four-and-a-half years for a broken glass into a man’s eye in 2004.
Robert Golinski, defending, said: “He has a shoulder that dislocates very easily and in the drunken state that he was in he fell and dislocated it – and it was a very painful injury.
“He admits that his action was indefensible.”
Summing up, Judge Stephen Clarke said: “When you were released on licence you appeared to behave yourself, get some order in your life.
“This lady was there to help you. People who are carrying out public services should be protected.”
Waite, who must now serve his original sentence in full, had the term increased by six months for the assault.
