TONI FAIRBAIRN
Court Correspondent
A woman who summoned paramedics became abusive and assaulted one of them. Daiva Hammond, who had been drinking, had called the paramedics to her home, but saw red when told there was little that could be done for a visiting friend showing symptoms of an allergic reaction and shouted “Leave, bitch” at paramedic Claire Morgan, city magistrates were told.
Hammond, 45, of Minerva Way, Cambridge, continued to shout at Ms Morgan and took a swing at the horrified ambulance woman before pushing her and slapping her face, said Paul Brown, for the prosecution.
Claiming during the early morning tirade that she was a GP and a therapist, Hammond declared that her friend would be dead in an hour if action was not taken.
Hammond, who has a record for drink offences, was arrested after the paramedics called police. She denied the assault, on October 20 last year, but was convicted after a trial.
Appearing for sentence yesterday, she was made subject of 18 months’ community supervision by the probation service and ordered to attend an alcohol treatment programme for nine months.
She was also ordered to pay £300 towards court costs and £50 compensation to Ms Morgan. We are appalled that anyone would attack a member of our staff, who are only trying to help.
Hammond continues to dispute what happened and maintains she put a hand on the paramedic’s shoulder to usher her out during the incident and did not slap or shout abuse at her.
In a statement to the court, Ms Morgan said the episode contributed to her being signed off work suffering from stress.
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: “We are appalled that anyone would attack a member of our staff, who are only trying to help, and will always work closely with the police to bring a successful prosecution.
“Ambulance crews have a tough enough job to do as it is without running the gauntlet of violence and aggression – it is completely unacceptable and has increased markedly over the years.
“Many of these incidents are drink or drug related and, while these people may have genuine health and social needs, they must not be allowed to hide behind these problems as an excuse for attacking the very people who help the public day in, day out.”