Worcester man 'drank industrial amount of vodka' before assaults

Scott Cowles, of Lowesmoor, Worcester, was ordered to do unpaid work by city magistrates during his court appearance on Thursday, (September 7). 

Cowles admitted criminal damage but pleaded guilty on the basis of being reckless without intent to the two charges of assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said the pleas were acceptable to the crown, based on the viewing of the CCTV. 

COURT: Cowles leaving Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Mr Hambling said an ambulance attended the junction of London Road and Rose Avenue, outside the Mount Pleasant Inn. 

The court heard Cowles was sat on a wall and was heavily intoxicated, acting confused, with bottles of vodka nearby. 

After being taken into an ambulance, Cowles arms and legs were "flailing" about, making contact with paramedic Alexandra Nix and Andrew Band. 

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Mr Hambling called it "bizarre behaviour" and fortunately both only suffered light injuries. 

Cowles then punched the window of the ambulance damaging it. 

The prosecutor added Cowles' previous convictions included being drunk and disorderly and another assault of an emergency worker. 

Gary Harper, defending, said: "He had drunk an industrial amount of alcohol that day. 

CASE: Scott Cowles case was heard at Worcester Magistrates Court

"He didn't like the version (on CCTV footage shown to him by police) he saw of himself."

Cowles told his solicitor what had happened had been a wake-up call for him and he had "not had a drop of alcohol" since he committed the offence on October 28 last year. 

Mr Harper added Cowles' actions had been "sporadic" and there were no aimed strikes at the paramedics. 

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Kevin Lloyd-Wright, chairman of the magistrates bench, said magistrates in their deliberations had considered there had been no intent to injure the officers, but this was balanced against Cowles' previous conviction for assaulting an emergency worker. 

Cowles was given a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. 

Cowles was ordered to pay £100 to both paramedics and £100 compensation to West Midlands Ambulance Service for the window being damaged. 

The £414 was ordered to be deducted from Cowles' benefits.