Teenager due in court after ambulance staff 'spat at and threatened' in North Yorkshire

Two ambulance crew members were reportedly threatened while trying to help the 18-year-old on Broughton Road in Skipton on Easter Sunday.

North Yorkshire Police said the man had reportedly called for medical assistance for a possible seizure in the evening when he "became aggressive inside the ambulance and spat at the two crew members".

It is also alleged that he threatened to cough in their faces, making reference to coronavirus, the force said.

Officers were called to the scene at 7.55pm and the man was "forcibly removed" from the ambulance and arrested.

Police later charged him with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and released him on bail.

He is due to appear at Skipton Magistrates Court on May 22.

Detective Superintendent Steve Thomas, Senior Operational Commander for Harrogate and Craven, said: “While I cannot comment on this specific case for legal reasons, it is clearly abhorrent behaviour to assault by spitting or make such threats against any emergency worker.

This is especially so at a time of national emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic when the risk of infection remains high.

“Anyone suspected of committing such a crime against emergency workers can expect to face prosecution.”