A man has been imprisoned following a brutal assault on paramedics with a claw hammer that was captured on video. The incident occurred when ambulance crews responded to a call in Bristol and were forced to flee as James Chandler, 49, attempted to strike them with the weapon.
Initially, Chandler interacted with the medical team peacefully but later armed himself with the hammer, launching an attack as the crew tried to leave. Terrifying bodycam footage shows a hammer strike narrowly missing one of the paramedics.
The crew had to quickly escape for their safety and trigger an emergency alert. Chandler was apprehended by Avon and Somerset Police and subsequently admitted to assaulting an emergency worker and wielding an offensive weapon.
He was sentenced to 16 months in prison at Bristol Crown Court and will serve a minimum of 40% of the sentence before being considered for release. Judge Mr. Justice Picton condemned Chandler for causing immense fear to his victim, who feared for his life during the attack.
The assaulted paramedic, commenting on the incident that took place on May 28 in Bristol, emphasized the importance of safety for all frontline workers, stating that violence and abuse should never be tolerated.
Mike Jones, the Crime & Violence Reduction Manager at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, condemned the attack as life-threatening and stressed the need for healthcare workers to be able to fulfill their duties without fear of violence or intimidation. He highlighted the increasing trend of violence against healthcare professionals and pledged to work closely with law enforcement to ensure accountability for such acts.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its staff and ensuring their safety while serving communities in the South West.