A Sheriff has sent a male to prison after he threatened emergency ambulance staff, to send a “clear message” to anyone found guilty of attacking emergency services personnel.
Andrew McPhee repeatedly hurled verbal abuse at the Scottish Ambulance Service crew, shouting “f**k you” at paramedics as they tried to help one of his family members on 22nd September 2019.
Alloa Sheriff Court heard that on Thursday, 27th February, that the pair had been out drinking on the date in question, but the woman eventually collapsed in Alloa’s Shillinghill area at around 21:00 hours.
The emergency services were called, and within minutes, an emergency ambulance crew were on the scene.
But, according to prosecutor Susannah Hutchison, 28-year-old McPhee frequently tried to pull the female patient away from the emergency ambulance crew.
McPhee also raised his hand to the paramedics’ faces, with his middle finger raised, before shouting and swearing at them.
McPhee then left the area only to return a short time later. When he returned, he climbed onto the emergency ambulance in an attempt to hinder the crew helping the female.
The emergency ambulance crew requested the assistance of the police as they grew increasingly concerned for their safety.
McPhee had previously pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and obstructing emergency workers. Sentencing was deferred until last week so that pre-sentencing reports could be put together.
McPhee’s solicitor, Cheryl Ferguson tried to claim that he was ‘acting out of concern’ for his family member and asked the Sheriff to consider a ‘community payback order’.
However, Sheriff Craig Harris interrupted Ms Ferguson’s pleas and went through McPhee’s considerable criminal record.
He said:
“With the exception of 20 months, he has been subject to supervision for eight years.
“Since being subject to the first probation order, he has committed 22 offences – six of which involve assaulting or obstructing police officers.
“The time for alternatives to custody is at an end.”
The Sheriff then told McPhee: “I consider these offences very serious.
“You have multiple previous convictions, including for assaulting and obstructing police officers; emergency personnel need to be protected.”
He added: “A clear message needs to be sent about what will happen if these offences occur.”
McPhee, of Argyll Place in Alloa, was then jailed for 115 days.
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20 months not long enough, but better than that judge who let that scum walk free.we need strong deterrent and our brave men and woman needs more back up than they get.