Yahoo News Sunderland lout with 304 previous convictions walks free for spitting in face of ambulance worker
A disgusting yob who spat in the face of an ambulance worker who was trying to help him has avoided prison despite having more than 300 previous convictions.
On September 15 last year, ambulance staff were called to a report of an unresponsive man at an alcohol treatment centre in Sunderland, which was Darren Mulley. An emergency care assistant got him in the ambulance and he became agitated and was strapped to a stretcher to take him to hospital.
Kate Barnes, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court Mulley tried to get up but was told by the NHS worker not to do so as he was strapped to the stretcher to stop him injuring himself. Miss Barnes said: "He then, without warning, spat on him."
The spittle went on the victim's face and he said to Mulley: "What was that for? What are you thinking, I'm here to help you."
He said in a victim impact statement: "Since the incident occurred I've been thinking about the implications of a drug user spitting in my face. I could've ended up with hepatitis or any other number of diseases.
"I'm an emergency worker and I'm here to help people and treat them. I should not be abused or assaulted when I was simply trying to help this person."
Recorder Chris Williams told Mulley: "These folk put themselves on the front line, literally, to help people like you. Whatever emergency service they are, they deserve some respect and it was very unpleasant to spit at him when he was doing his best."
Mulley, 44, of Gladstone Street, Sunderland, admitted assaulting an emergency worker and also pleaded guilty to burglary of the Warhammer shop in Sunderland in January this year. He threw a brick through the window and stole products including books during three separate episodes.
He also asked for a burglary at a British Heart Foundation charity shop to be taken into account. He stole £20 of goods and caused £200 of damage.
The court heard that of his 304 previous convictions, 161 are for theft and kindred offences.
Jamie Adams, defending, said Mulley has paranoid schizophrenia and PTSD and added: "He has been beset by a dreadful life of drugs from his early years. He understands what an unpleasant event that must have been for the emergency worker, particularly because he was just trying to help."
Mulley was given a community order for 18 months for assaulting an emergency worker and burglary and a four month prison sentence for breaching the suspended sentence, which he has already served on remand, meaning he will be freed. The judge said: "I agree the best outcome for the community is to give you a chance rather than have you wallow in custody."
