Man avoids jail after assaulting emergency workers in Killinghall

A Harrogate man has avoided prison after assaulting two emergency workers.

James Gibb, 35, of Ripon Road in Killinghall, was sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court today.

Gibb was charged with two counts of common assault of an emergency worker.

On February 13, the defendant assaulted a paramedic and a police officer.

The court heard the named paramedic was called to Killinghall after a man (not Gibb) had fallen to the floor after suffering a seizure.

Prosecutor Mel Ibbertson said two more ambulances and the police were called to assist with the operation.

After the other emergency workers arrived, the paramedic walked back towards his ambulance. Gibb then “shouted” at him and said he “had a screwdriver in his hand”.

The court heard the defendant also shouted "they haven't paid me - I will stab them". 

Reading the victim statement, Ms Ibbertson said the paramedic felt it was “clear the defendant was on drugs”.

"He had a wild look in his eye", the paramedic added. 

Gibb then "sprinted" towards the victim with the screwdriver in his hand, the court heard. 

The paramedic said he "looked as though he would harm me" and was able to push Gibb, who ran away. 

The victim statement, read by the prosecution, added:

When Gibb was arrested, a female police officer needed to double-lock his handcuffs, the court heard.

This angered the defendant, who asked the officer, “do you want to go?” and proceeded to call her a “little fat slag”, Ms Ibbertson said.

In her victim statement, the police officer said she then heard the defendant “gather spit in his mouth”, adding she thought Gibb was going to spit on her.

Neither victim was physically harmed during the incidents, the court heard, but Gibb tried to “strangle himself” with his jumper in the police vehicle.

Gibb was also charged with criminal damage to property under £5,000, namely the police vehicle.

The prosecution said the defendant was “spitting in the vehicle”, which had to be professionally cleaned as a result.

Ms Ibbertson cited Gibb’s “fairly lengthy” criminal history when summing up.

In addition, Gibb was also charged with failing to comply with the requirements of post-custodial supervision.

He failed to provide acceptable reasons for missing post-sentence appointments in November and January following his release from prison last October. 

The court heard Gibb “struggles with addiction and mental health issues”, but has recently attended regular appointments and tested negative for use of amphetamines. 

'Downward spiral'

Laurence Dilworth, defending, said, at the time of the offences Gibb had recently “broken up with his partner” which sent him into a “downward spiral”. They have since reunited and she was in court with him today.

His life become “chaotic” as a result, Mr Dilworth told the court.

He also said Gibb found it “hard to listen to the circumstances” surrounding his offences, adding the defendant knows his behaviour on February 13 was “unacceptable”.

He re-iterated the defendant has recently provided negative drug tests and said Gibb shows a “sincere motivation to continue the progress he has made” and "prevent falling back into a cycle of offending". 

The defence told the magistrates Gibb has had “a lot more stability” over the last three months after consolidating permanent accommodation and “working through his addiction”.

Mr Dilworth felt a custodial sentence would be “de-stabilising” for Gibb, despite it being “better for public safety”. 

Suspended sentence

Gibb pleaded guilty to all charges he faced.

The two magistrates handed him a two-year suspended sentence for assaulting the emergency workers. 

As part of the sentence conditions, Gibb is required to complete 50 days of rehabilitation activity, during which he must comply with all instructions given by his supervisor.

He must also complete an 18-month drug rehabilitation course.

Gibb was ordered to pay the court £391 in costs. This consisted of a £156 surcharge, £85 in prosecution costs, £50 for breaching his post-sentence supervision requirements, and £100 in compensation which will be split between the victims.

He did not receive any further penalty for the criminal damage offence.

If he breaches the conditions, Gibb could spend 10 weeks in prison for the assault charges.