Paramedic who lied over why he did not try to revive 30-stone man jailed

A paramedic was jailed for 12 months yesterday after being found guilty of telling a series of lies about why he did not try to resuscitate a 30-stone man.

Jurors heard that Karl Harris, 45, told his less experienced colleague there was "no point" in attempting to resuscitate Barry Baker after the pair were sent to his home in Brighton, East Sussex, in the early hours.

The 59-year-old patient, who lived alone, phoned 999 after experiencing breathing difficulties at 4.14am on November 29 2008 and died after suffering a cardiopulmonary arrest.

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Jurors at Lewes Crown Court took just over four hours to find Harris guilty of perverting the course of justice yesterday.

He was suspended from his role at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust following Mr Baker's death.

During the four-day trial, jurors heard the emergency call, in which Mr Baker's labouredbreathing could be heard, before Harris and trainee technician Ben Stokes entered the house and spoke to him.

Minutes later a loud thump was audible, which, the jury was told, was the sound of Mr Baker falling to the ground.

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Harris's comments to his colleague could not be heard, but Richard Barton, prosecuting, said he told him: "He's dead. There's no point (in resuscitating him). I've seen this before. It's not a viable resuscitation. Don't bother."

Jurors also then heard the call Harris made to police in which he said Mr Baker had already collapsed when they arrived. "There's not a lot we can do really," he was heard to say

Jurors heard Harris filled out forms in which he claimed Mr Baker had already collapsed.

Harris, who as the more senior man made all the decisions, told jurors it would have been "physically impossible" to resuscitate Mr Baker owing to his size and the clutter surrounding him. He said he honestly believed he was dead.

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