Radio Brisvaani
A Paramedic attacked by a drunk French backpacker she was trying to treat has read a powerful victim impact statement to the court telling of her ongoing physical and mental pain.
The Cairns Magistrates Court has heard Timothee Rousselle, 21, had reportedly downed a bottle of scotch and some cask wine before witnesses later called an ambulance to the Asylum Backpackers in Cairns North on September 28.
They began treating him before he attacked paramedic Natalie Fitzgerald, punching her in the face and pulling her from the ambulance before her partner intervened and police arrived.
Ms Fitzgerald said she did not “harbour any ill feeling” towards Rousselle, but was suffering the ongoing effects which were impacting her work.
“Sometimes I get in my car after work and have a little cry,” she said.
Defence solicitor Ken Cuthbertson said his client had no memory of the incident but accepted it had occurred.
He handed up a written apology from his client and read out a section in court which said: “I’m sorry, sincerely sorry. I wasn’t myself, it was horrific. I don’t recognise myself at all in what I’ve done.”
Magistrate Jane Bentley sentenced him to six months jail, suspended after two months.
