Man who spat at emergency staff in Brierley Hill - ‘nice as pie when sober’
Incidents of violence against emergency workers rose by 300 between 2024 and 2026
A drunk man who kicked and spat at an ambulance paramedic helping him could be as 'nice’ ‘when he was sober, magistrates have been told.
Andrew Askins, aged 57, of Banks Street in Brierley Hill was arrested on September 19 after a series of incidents during which he spat towards a police officer, a West Midlands Ambulance paramedic and a member of the public.
At a hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to assaulting the paramedic, a police officer and a member of the public. He also pleaded guilty to failing surrender at Dudley Magistrates Court on November 6 relating to the same case.
Mrs Jolene Parnell, prosecuting, said he incidents happened after Askins turned up at a venue hosting a St John Ambulance awards ceremony.
“The defendant entered the foyer while drunk and was asked to leave by a man attending the event who described him as being ‘ready to spit at me and I did step aside’.
“The man tried to move Askins and was punched in the stomach.
“A police officer attended the scene to arrest Askins who spat at the officer,” Mrs Parnell said.
The paramedic was assaulted when she was called out to a report of an ”intoxicated male” lying in the ground at a petrol station, but when Askins was helped into the ambulance he did not calm down and kicked her in the back, punched and spat at her.
The court heard that the defendant has 41 previous convictions and was brought to court after missing a court hearing earlier this month.
Ian Henery, mitigating, said: “The common denominator is drinking alcohol. He had been drinking all day and was in a confused state. He was put in the ambulance by people trying to help him. He was taken to Russells Hall Hospital.
“He is apologetic about his behaviour that day. When he’s sober he’s as nice as pie.”
The magistrates adjourned sentencing for reports. Askins was was granted conditional bail until January 4.
Councillors attending a recent West Midlands Police and Crime Panel meeting was told that incidents of violence against emergency workers increased by 300 between 2024 and 2026.