“Like a horror film” – patient who terrorised ambulance crew given community service
A man who kicked through the windscreen of an ambulance and threw bricks at the crew has avoided jail and been given community service.
The London Ambulance Service crew had been called to a housing estate in Rotherhithe to help Seiitbek Erkin Uulu last summer. As they were checking him over, he became aggressive.
He left the ambulance but appeared to be distressed and was looking for his bike.
Emergency Medical Technician Harvey Jenkins said: “My crewmate got out to help him look for it but then I heard the emergency button go off and I knew he was in trouble.
“The patient was chasing him and threatening him.”
Harvey and his crewmate paramedic Tom Pursey got into the front of the ambulance and tried to leave but as they were manoeuvring out of the estate, the patient jumped on the bonnet of the ambulance.
Harvey said: “He was punching and stamping on the windscreen until he got his foot through it. We were in disbelief and got into the back of the ambulance to get away.
“It felt like a horror film as it went quiet but then suddenly he was punching the windows and throwing bricks and concrete trying to hit us. The attack just went on and on.
“We didn’t know whether to go out and tackle him or stay in the ambulance – we just felt trapped.”
The pair were covered in broken glass and one of the bricks hit Harvey but fortunately he was not seriously hurt.
A colleague arrived in a car on blue lights and police followed shortly after. Uulu ran but was quickly caught by police.
He pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker, criminal damage to property and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
Earlier this month he was sentenced at Croydon Magistrates Court and ordered to pay a fine of £114, abstain from alcohol for four months and complete 150 hours of community service – the equivalent of around 20 days.
Chief Paramedic Pauline Cranmer said: “This was a deeply disturbing and sustained attack on an ambulance crew who were simply trying to help.
“The level of violence meant an ambulance needed to be taken off the road for repair.
“Fortunately attacks like this are rare but when they happen we will work with the police and the courts to push for justice.
“Attacks on ambulance workers are increasing and sentences should reflect the impact crimes like this have – not just on our crews but the impact on our patients if our ambulances and crews are taken off the road.”
Jason Killens, Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and incoming Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service, said: “Despite record numbers of violent attacks against ambulance staff, yet again we see a severe and prolonged attack result in what can only be described, on the basis of the facts publicly available, as a disproportionately low sentence for the offender given the level of violence shown towards the crew.
“This appalling behaviour has a major long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of ambulance people, but the situation appears to be getting worse, with low rates of conviction and weak sentences issued to offenders who do not see them as a serious deterrent. This is why AACE continues to seek to engage with UK health ministers at the highest levels to explore new interventions that could help deter potential perpetrators of these vicious attacks.
“We also repeat that it is absolutely vital that the judiciary uses all available legislation to ensure appropriate sentences are handed out consistently to those found guilty of committing these horrific crimes against our people and resources, so that our staff understand that their safety is of the utmost importance as they go about their daily roles saving lives and helping people.”
All London ambulances have been fitted with a crew safety system which includes cameras inside and outside the vehicle. Panic buttons have been installed and there is electronic tracking of ambulances so police can reach a crew quickly if they are in danger.
The Service was the first to set up a dedicated Violence Reduction Unit to support staff and work with police to increase prosecutions.
Data collated by the AACE shows there has been a significant increase in reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse against ambulance staff over the past four years.
But despite the terrifying attack, Harvey still believes he has the best job.
The 25-year-old said: “These things happen and I suppose it just makes you more vigilant but it doesn’t take away from everything I love about the job.
“Every day is different and we are always tested, facing unexpected situations. But it’s in those moments that you can make a significant difference to our patients’ lives.”
Our data on abuse against staff
- Violence and abuse against staff has been on the rise in recent years: there was an increase of 11.3% of all violence, aggression and abuse incidents directed to London Ambulance Service staff in 2024 compared to 2023.
- Physical assaults increased by 8% in 2024 compared to 2023, while verbal abuse increased by 13% in 2024 compared to 2023. This works out at approximately seven reported incidents every day against ambulance crews and call handlers in London.
- In 2023 there was a total of 2087 acts of violence or aggression against our people. This rose to 2337 in 2024.
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