Prison for man who spat at paramedic before assaulting police and hospital staff

A man who spat at a paramedic after calling 999 in an effort to get a lift home has been jailed for six months.

In the early hours of 13 April, 28-year-old Christian Monreal was sat outside a supermarket in Atherstone when he called 999 claiming he had been stabbed.

Emergency services attended and found that Monreal had no injuries.

Monreal then stated that he had called 999 because he wanted a lift home.

When it became apparent to Monreal that he would not be given a lift home, he walked to the driver’s side of the ambulance and spat on the paramedic.

He was promptly arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

At the same time, officers discovered three buds of cannabis on Monreal.

Later that morning Monreal caused damage to his cell and then spat at a custody officer. 

Then, on 23 April, Monreal had been discharged from the George Eliot hospital after completing some treatment.

He refused to leave and security was summoned when he became aggressive to staff.

Security guards began to escort him off the site and he proceeded to be verbally abusive and then flick a lit cigarette at one of the guards, causing a burn to her neck.

And on 11 October Monreal appeared before Warwick Crown Court where he was sentenced to six months in prison.

PC Pearson said: “Clearly, there are issues that Monreal must work through. But ultimately he is a danger to others and the courts have found him to be fit to take responsibility for his actions.

“The fact that Monreal feels he is entitled to abuse police staff, paramedics and NHS staff is seriously concerning.

“We absolutely welcome this sentence. I hope it serves as a warning to others - attack the people who work day and night to keep you safe and you will be locked up.”

George Eliot Hospital’s chief operating officer Robin Snead said: “Our staff work incredibly hard to look after people who need our care.

“We will not accept them being abused or assaulted and will always work with the police to seek prosecution for those who perpetrate these disgraceful attacks.”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Ambulance staff come to work to care for others in their time of need, yet all too often they are greeted by violence and abuse.

“Assaults on ambulance staff, whether it be physical or verbal, are not okay and we welcome the sentencing.

“We hope that it opens people’s eyes to the impact that abuse has on staff as well as reinforcing the message that abusive behaviour of any form is totally unacceptable.”

Issued by: AG, Corporate Communications.