Four admit charges in 999 trial

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Two men and two boys have admitted public disorder during a trial in which two paramedics claimed they were attacked during a 999 call in Cardiff.

Sean Kempton, 20, Cohen Riella, 18, and two unnamed 16-year-olds had earlier denied attacking the two paramedics but later admitted public disorder charges.

Cardiff Crown Court heard an ambulance was called to treat a drunk teenager.

Paramedics claimed they were attacked by a gang as they tried to help the boy. Sentencing was adjourned.

Charges against 19-year-old Nathan White were dropped by the prosecution.

The court heard how the paramedics were called to an address in Grangetown, Cardiff, in November.

Andrew Dobbinson, an ambulance worker for 24 years, told the jury they found a 16-year-old slumped on a bed and vomiting so they put him inside the ambulance.

Evidence

He said as he was walking to the front of the vehicle he heard shouting and swearing inside and it started rocking.

By the time he got to the back of the ambulance two other boys were inside shouting and swearing at his colleague with another 10 gathered at the door, he said.

He said: "It was ugly, intimidating and frightening.

"I was trying to close the door when one of them with his fist clenched and teeth gritted said 'If you don't let me on, I'll break your jaw'.

"I was aware of a struggle going on in the ambulance behind me - it went on for five, six minutes, but it felt like longer.

"Then an older man burst through the crowd and I was pushed aside as he came up the steps.

"He grabbed the patient in a bear hug from behind and frogmarched him, half pushing, half walking him, out of the vehicle and I was hit in the face."

Mr Dobbinson told the court the patient was removed from the ambulance before they had time to treat him.

He said the crowd dispersed after a shout that the police were coming.

Prosecutor Martyn Kelly told the jury: "The odd curtain had twitched but no one came out to see how the paramedics were.

"Police found them sitting in the back of their own ambulance - both had been hit and both were taken to hospital."

Criticism

After the hearing the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust said it was disappointed the original charges were not upheld.

"The trust wants to re-state its support for the two ambulance staff involved in this case and re-affirm its commitment that it will not tolerate assault or abuse on its staff from members of the public.

"Anyone who assaults a member of ambulance staff should know that the trust will pursue legal proceedings against them.

"This may include supporting staff in seeking alternative remedies against their attackers.

"In this case, the trust will certainly be exploring the alternative avenues open to it."