Jail warning for man who obstructed paramedics in Wick

A drunk man who distracted paramedics treating a patient in a Wick street has avoided a jail sentence.

Sheriff Gerrard Sinclair warned Thomas Calder that it was only the fact that he didn't have a similar offence in his record of previous convictions that had saved him.

The 41-year-old admitted having obstructed the paramedics.

Wick Sheriff Court was told on Tuesday that the incident occurred in Smith Terrace, Wick, on August 30, last year. The paramedics were dealing with a patient who required emergency treatment. Calder refused to step back when asked to do so.

Fiscal David Barclay said that Calder later told police officers that his mother had died some three months earlier and he was having difficulties in dealing with the bereavement.

"The accused said his drinking was getting out of control," said the fiscal who added that Calder had little recollection of what he was doing at the time.

Solicitor George Mathers told the court that Calder had had a drink and drugs problem for many years. He had previously stopped drinking but "fell to pieces" when his mother died.

The solicitor added: "Calder was blind drunk when the incident occurred and has little recollection of it. He has apologised for the trouble he had caused the paramedics. He accepts that his behaviour was completely unacceptable and very much regrets it. He is full of remorse."

Mr Mathers invited Sheriff Sinclair to consider a non-custodial sentence, saying that Calder was a man who needed help as opposed to punishment.

The accused, of Royal Place, Wick, admitted a further charge of shouting at ambulance workers and police officers, staff at Caithness General Hospital and at Wick police station on November 24, last year.

Sheriff Sinclair said abuse of emergency workers, particularly in the current climate, was attracting custodial sentences in the courts and told the accused: "It is only the fact that you don't have a record for this type of offence that I am prepared to consider a direct alternative to prison. If you come back on a similar charge, prison will be almost inevitable."

Calder was made subject to a one-year supervision order which will include a commitment to the Skills Development Programme to help address issues in his life.