By Mike McQuaid
Contributor
A paramedic’s career was ended after an attack by a patient who “appeared to be hallucinating”.
Tracy Lowrie required surgery for a serious hand injury and was left in agony following the incident in March 2023.
Ryan Watson, 25, avoided jail after he admitted assaulting the paramedic to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard he grabbed her hand and bent it backwards, snapping a metal plate and screws that had been inserted after a previous injury.
The case comes amid concern over the rising number of attacks on ambulance workers in Scotland.
Earlier this year the Scottish Ambulance Service revealed 346 staff were assaulted or verbally abused in 2023/24, a rise of 11 per cent.
Chief executive Michael Dickson said: “Our staff are having to deal with such incidents nearly every single day.”
Flora McCamley, prosecuting, told the court: “The woman required corrective surgery but two operations have been unsuccessful and she is awaiting a third.
“She still has no movement in her right thumb and has been unable to continue in her job.
“She is still employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service in an administrative post, but there has been a financial impact for her.”
“Our staff are having to deal with such incidents nearly every single day”
Scottish Ambulance Service chief executive Michael Dickson
The assault happened at a house in Airdrie on March 24, 2023, after Lowrie and a colleague responded to an emergency call.
McCamley said: “They found Watson standing facing a wall. He was sweating profusely and appeared to be hallucinating.
“He was displaying signs of possible cardiac arrest and required to go to hospital immediately for assessment.”
Defence lawyer Hugh Trainor said Watson, of Greengairs, Lanarkshire, has had mental health issues but social workers described him as being at a low risk of reoffending.
Sheriff Paul Haran told Watson: “This had a significant and lasting physical impact on the woman and her employment.
“The custody threshold has been reached, but I’m satisfied there is a direct alternative available.”
Watson was handed a two-year supervision order and must do 180 hours of unpaid work.