WHITEHAVEN MAN CONVICTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT OF PARAMEDIC DURING MEDICAL INCIDENT
A WHITEHAVEN man who was found unconscious on a bus has been convicted of sexually assaulting a female paramedic who tried to assist him.The court heard that Gordon Lowe, 48, was discovered "unconscious" on a bus in west Cumbria, prompting members of the public to call for an ambulance.
It was during her attempt to help him that he sexually touched her, specifically over her clothing.
Lowe denied committing this offence but was convicted after a trial at Workington’s Magistrates’ Court.
He failed to attend the trial.
Lowe was also sentenced for a theft offence involving stealing a tips jar containing £136 from the Pour House Pub in Lowther Street, Whitehaven, on February 20; the money was recovered.
Prosecutor Pamela Fee explained that Lowe had been brought to court in custody after he previously failed to appear for an earlier hearing.
She described how he sexually touched the paramedic while helping him and confirmed that he touched her "over her clothing." During the court proceedings, Lowe repeatedly shouted from the dock that he was not guilty of the sexual assault, claiming "I’m gay." The assault was deemed aggravated because the victim was an emergency worker helping him after a perceived medical episode.
The court noted Lowe’s unwillingness to cooperate with probation staff preparing a pre-sentence report and observed that he had committed a further offence while on bail.
The magistrates sentenced him to 11 weeks in jail, stating there was no reason to suspend this sentence, and ordered that he pay £200 in compensation to the paramedic.
Additionally, Lowe was placed on the Sex Offender Register for seven years and is required to register his details at Durranhill Police Station within three days of release.
