Man who groped paramedic jailed for six weeks

Man who groped paramedic jailed for six weeks

Joel Edward Corson (61), of Castle Quay apartments, committed the offence after an ambulance crew were called to his home this summer.

Police legal adviser Advocate Chris Baglin said that the paramedic who was assaulted had treated Corson on a number of previous occasions and knew him to be ‘touchy feely’.

The Magistrate’s Court heard that the paramedic could tell that Corson had been drinking as he smelt of alcohol.

Advocate Baglin said: ‘As they were walking outside to the ambulance, Corson squeezed the paramedic’s left buttock.’

The defendant was immediately told his behaviour was inappropriate.

Corson also made inappropriate comments, including: ‘I just want to have sex with you, can’t we just go upstairs please?’

He was taken to the ambulance after saying he was having a panic attack, and when the paramedic bent over, Corson again grabbed the victim’s buttock. Advocate Baglin said that the defendant was again told his behaviour was inappropriate.

The court heard that Corson would not leave the ambulance after the paramedics said he did not need any further assessment, and he again made similar suggestive comments about the paramedic going up to his flat. It was a further seven minutes before he got out of the vehicle and he only did so when he heard they had another emergency call to attend.

Advocate Baglin said that Corson told police officers he could not recall the incident but accepted that what the paramedics said was probably right. He admitted being drunk at the time.

Advocate Alison Brown, defending, said that Corson was very remorseful and was suffering from alcohol abuse issues. She said that Corson was not a man prone to violence.

Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris said that while it was indecent assault at the lower end of the scale, it was perpetrated on a public servant coming to assist the defendant.

In sentencing, Mr Harris said: ‘The incident was an assault on a paramedic… accompanied by language of a suggestive sexual nature. The fact the victim was a public servant was an aggravating factor.’

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