A MAN who slammed his fist into the back of a paramedic as she knelt to adjust his wheelchair at Orange hospital has been handed a suspended jail sentence in Orange Local Court and ordered to undertake 200 hours of community service.
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Sudanese-born Abraham Pourece, 39, has since written to the female paramedic apologising for his behaviour.
Pourece had to use the services of a Dinka interpreter to explain what was happening in court.
Police say the female paramedic was crying in pain following the assault at the hospital.
The accused’s solicitor Michael Madden told magistrate Terry Lucas his client had a problem with alcohol.
“He is like many members of the Sudanese community who don’t know how to handle alcohol,” Mr Madden said.
“Alcohol has been a problem for my client for some time,” he said.
Mr Madden said his client had made an effort in many ways to achieve in the community, by recently completing a course at TAFE and starting a second course in information technology.
He said his client’s problem with alcohol had led to his separation from his wife and three children but his client now recognised he has a problem and is keen to work towards changing his ways.
Magistrate Terry Lucas told the accused the court and the community does not tolerate any form of violence against emergency services workers.
“She was your guardian angel and she tried to help you.
“Alcohol is no excuse for this type of behaviour,” Mr Lucas told the accused.
A 12-month suspended jail sentence was imposed on Pourece and he will now have to accept the supervision of Probation and Parole officers during a good behaviour bond.
