Ambulance worker attacked by patient he was trying to help

Ambulance technician Robert Burness was left with blood pouring from his nose onto its uniform after the attack in West Bromwich.

His attacker, Donald Hornby, has been handed a 12-week prison sentence - with ambulance chiefs saying they are disappointed it was not longer.

Mr Burness had been called out with a colleague to help Hornby who was found unconscious, in Moor Street, in the Lyng area of the town.

But the ambulance service said after coming round he then became aggressive, leaving Mr Burness with a bloodied face during an attack.

• MORE: Ambulance worker speaks out

Hornby, 25, from Birmingham, pleading guilty to assault by beating, after the attack last Tuesday evening.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison last Thursday and ordered to pay £265 in fines, say the ambulance service.

West Midlands Ambulance Service general manager for Birmingham, Nathan Hudson, said: "We welcome the fact that a custodial sentence has been issued in this case but are disappointed it is not longer.

"Is 12 weeks enough for a serious assault on a member of ambulance staff who had been called to try and help the defendant?

"It is extremely disappointing that our staff suffer physical and verbal abuse when all they are trying to do is help members of the public with medical emergencies."

Steve Elliker, the service's regional head of security and safety, added: "It is completely unacceptable that ambulance staff, who are responding to help people who have serious medical conditions or injuries, should have to face violence and verbal abuse.

"The trust has a zero tolerance policy in place and works extremely hard to bring the full weight of the law to bear on anyone who attacks our staff.

"It is simply not acceptable that staff who are there to help people, suffer at the hands of patients, their relatives or other people at the scene. Any type of assault against our staff will not be tolerated."