A 41-year-old man assaulted two paramedics at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham after being asked to stop smoking near oxygen cylinders in the ambulance bay. Elliot Brown, from Alum Rock, admitted two counts of assaulting emergency workers at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.
The court heard that on 8 May, Brown, who was receiving treatment for a head injury, left the waiting area to smoke outside in the ambulance bay. Despite being instructed to extinguish his cigarette due to its proximity to oxygen tanks, he continued smoking. When a paramedic removed the cigarette from his mouth, Brown responded by punching her. A second paramedic who intervened was also assaulted, sustaining a jaw injury.
Prosecutor Sanna Hussain explained: “He ignored warnings about the dangers of smoking near oxygen canisters and responded with violence when asked to stop.”
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Brown’s defence representative noted his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and highlighted Brown’s ongoing efforts to address his excessive alcohol use through weekly sessions with the drug and alcohol service, Change Grow Live (CGL).
The magistrate emphasised the seriousness of the offence, stating: “You are extremely fortunate this did not result in a grave incident. If the cigarette had ignited the oxygen, it could have been fatal.”
The court adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Brown was released on unconditional bail and is due to be sentenced on 9 November.