Derry Court: Jailed for sex assault on female ambulance crew

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today for sexually assaulting a female ambulance worker.

Cailin O'Neill (23) with an address in Utility Street in Belfast had denied the sexual assault on the ambulance worker but was convicted in the Magistrate's Court.

The court was told that on June 15 2020 police were called to A&E at Altnagelvin Hospital after an ambulance worker reported O'Neill had touched her.

Police heard that while the defendant was being transported to hospital he made sexual remarks towards the woman and was 'smirking' while he did so.

As they were exiting the vehicle O'Neill slapped the woman on the right buttock and then made the middle finger gesture and said 'f--k you.'

The defendant then ran off and the ambulance crew told police O'Neill 'knew what he was doing.'

At interview the defendant said he had 'blacked out' due to a head injury.

The court also heard of an incident on June 12 2020 O'Neill was searched in an incident police were attending and two blister packs of Pregablin were found.

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said his client had indeed suffered a head injury and had difficulties with drugs and alcohol. 

He said that the victim was acting in the course of her employment. 

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said that any sexual assault was 'regarded seriously' by the courts and was 'all the more serious' when the victim was working in the public service as this woman was. 

He said it was clear that the offence was sexual given O'Neill's remarks. 

O'Neill was sentenced to 3 months in prison and ordered to sign the Sex Offender's Register for 7 years.