Northumberland patient allegedly punched and tried to bite ambulance workers
Paul Mason is also accused of trying to bite a security guard at a hospital as he was being evicted
A patient allegedly punched a paramedic and tried to bite an ambulance support worker as they tried to help him in Northumberland. Paul Mason was taken to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, in Cramlington, with suspected head injuries when he is accused of lashing out.
A court heard that the 62-year-old allegedly punched a paramedic in the stomach and tried to bite her colleague. He is also further accused of trying to bite a security guard at the hospital as he was being evicted.
Mason, of Juliet Street, in Ashington, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court this week, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and one of common assault. Sandra Fife, prosecuting, said the offences were said to have happened on New Year's Day.
Mrs Fife added: "This is an incident, which occurred at a hospital. Ambulance workers had attended a street in Ashington due to a report of a male with a head injury.
"The defendant is alleged to have become aggressive and, while in hospital, he's said to have punched a paramedic in the stomach and lashed out at an ambulance support worker by trying to kick and bite him.
"A security guard was then assisting in removing the defendant from the hospital when he fell over. The security guard helped him back up and it's alleged the defendant tried to bite his hand."
Graham Crouth, defending, said Mason didn't accept punching or trying to bite anybody. Magistrates accepted jurisdiction and the case was listed for trial back at the same court on September 15.
In the meantime, Mason was released on unconditional bail.