COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A paramedic was left bruised after a man she was treating attacked her in Foleshill



The woman and her colleague were on a night shift answering a 999 call when the attack happened. They were called to treat a man with chest pain on the Foleshill Road .

But while the pair were treating their patient he became aggressive. He attacked the paramedic bruising her arm.

Police arrested the man after they were called following the attack which occurred after 7.30pm on the evening of Thursday, September 8.

Nick Henry, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust general manager for Staffordshire and Arden said: “It is hugely disappointing that yet again our staff, who are there to help people in their hour of need, have once again become patients themselves.

“The trust operates a zero tolerance policy against violence towards our staff and we will be doing everything in our power to help police prosecute this individual.”

Frank Keogh regional office for union Unite said: “Sadly, attacks on paramedics in recent years in the West Midlands have become more common. Excessive alcohol consumption is often the cause for these attacks.

“Paramedics deserve respect in their workplaces and should not be feel under threat as they carry out their duties.”

Tony Jones, West Midlands regional organiser with trade union Unison said: “Clearly it’s shameful that people are attacking ambulance staff and it’s a growing trend.”

He called on the government to set up a task force to tackle the problem. And he called for the cuplrits to be arrested, charged and given harsh sentences.

Racist career crook who abused and attacked female paramedic locked up



A racist career criminal who attacked a female paramedic and branded her a "white b****" was today behind bars.

Mohinder Takar, who has more than 100 convictions going back to 1969, attacked the paramedic as she tried to help him when he fell unwell with chest pains.

Takar, who was described as "a wretched nuisance" by his own solicitor, was also convicted of assaulting a police officer and the paramedic's colleague.

He was told that his behaviour was “intolerable in any mixed-race society”.

Takar, aged 62, of Albany Way, Earlsdon, was jailed for ten months by a judge at Warwick Crown Court after pleading guilty to racially aggravated common assault and assaulting a police officer.

Prosecutor Stuart Clarkson said that on September 8, Takar was at the Texaco garage in Foleshill Road when he began suffering from chest pains, so staff called the ambulance service.

When paramedics arrived, Takar initially co-operated with them, but then demanded food and a lift home.

After first being verbally aggressive towards them, he grabbed hold of one of the paramedics and took him to the floor.

The other paramedic went to her colleague’s assistance, and during the struggle that followed Takar, who called the female paramedic a "white bitch,’ had a knock to his head.

As a result, when the police arrived after one of the paramedics pressed their alarm, he was first taken to hospital to be checked over.

After then being taken to the police station, Takar beckoned to an officer – and then attempted to kick him to the head when the officer went over to see what he wanted.

When he was later interviewed Takar said he remembered grabbing hold of the ambulance man’s arm, but claimed that had been just to steady himself, and denied kicking out at the policeman.

Mr Clarkson said that Takar had 24 pages of previous convictions, with well in excess of 100 convictions going back as far as 1969.

Jailing Takar for six months for the racially aggravated assault on the paramedic, with a further four months for common assault on the police officer, Recorder Allan Dooley told him: “You pose a very difficult problem for any court.

“The offence of racially aggravated common assault is a serious one, particularly when it’s carried out in relation to someone who’s trying to carry out a public service.

“The kick at the police officer’s head was inexcusable, and if it had connected you would be in an even more serious predicament than you are.

“A major factor in your case is the remarkable number of prior convictions to your name. I’ve counted at least a hundred, some serious and some less so.

“Recently you have been convicted of racially aggravated crimes, offences which are intolerable in a mixed-race society.”