Judge's praise for two paramedics who were 'groped'

Ian Vickers, 51, of Pier Road, was found guilty by a jury at Hove Crown Court on Friday, where it emerged that he had been previously convicted of murder.

The assaults took place on June 10 last year, when Vickers was in Brighton and was being treated by the two female paramedics after he was attacked in the street.

As they tended to a two-inch gash on his forehead, Vickers put his hand between one of the women's legs while making sexual remarks about what he wanted to do to her.

Her colleague was also groped by Vickers when they reached the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, but despite his actions, the two women remained calm and professional and treated his wounds.

After the incident, the paramedics carried on with the rest of their shift.

Vickers claimed to have no recollection of the incident due to his head injury and the fact that he had been drinking.

The court heard that Vickers, who also has previous convictions for actual bodily harm, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court in 1981 of murdering a 65-year-old Yugoslavian refugee in Worthing and sentenced to life imprisonment with no minimum term.

Vickers, who beat the man to death, was released early on licence but because of his serious re-offence he will now serve the rest of his sentence, plus whatever he receives for the assault on the two paramedics.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Ambulance Service, Janine Bell, commended the actions of the two paramedics under such difficult circumstances.

She said: "Our staff are never aware of people's backgrounds when they are dealing with them. It's one of the risk factors they deal with every day.

"It was upsetting and traumatic for the staff involved and we applaud them in being brave enough to come forward and press charges, which have resulted in this conviction.

"We are very proud that the judge, Anthony Niblett, praised their professionalism, which was proven when they were willing to carry on with the rest of their shift despite what had happened.

"We are very pleased that this man was found guilty of these charges as we don't tolerate abuse of our staff in any form."

Vickers will be sentenced for the attacks on July 1 at Hove Crown Court.