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Pensioner in court for punching paramedic in the face

Gerard Oliver Bloomer who appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court for assault. Picture by Pacemaker Press
Gerard Oliver Bloomer who appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court for assault. Picture by Pacemaker Press Gerard Oliver Bloomer who appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court for assault. Picture by Pacemaker Press

A DRUNKEN pensioner who punched a paramedic in the face after calling for an ambulance, has been freed on bail ahead of sentencing.

Gerard Oliver Bloomer (68), from Bangor, Co Down, was released after appearing today at Newtownards Magistrates Court.

District Judge Mark Hamill ordered pre-sentence reports to be compiled by May 2 as he warned Bloomer: "If there's a sure fire way to land yourself in a prison cell it's to lay hands on a paramedic, doctor or nurse."

The judge ordered Bloomer to write a letter of apology to the paramedic as well as paying him £500 in compensation.

A defence lawyer said Bloomer had managed to save £200 from his state pension and, while he would have £500 available in the bank, "that would be all his savings."

Earlier Bloomer, from Central Avenue, had pleaded guilty to a single count of common assault of the paramedic on December 23 last year.

A prosecuting lawyer described how a drunken Bloomer called 999 but that when the paramedic crew attended, he became aggressive and punched one of them in the face.

Bloomer's lawyer said he was "very embarrassed and very apologetic about his actions," adding that in the realisation that alcohol consumption had triggered the assault, "he has opted to abstain."

Ordering a probation report Judge Hamill told Bloomer he would likely be given community service or a jail sentence, whether immediate or suspended, and warned the pensioner "if you don't have £500 you can guess what the outcome will be."