Ex-armed forces member assaulted two female paramedics

A former member of the armed forces who assaulted two female paramedics has walked free from court.

Greig Smith turned on Susan Howatson and Clare Duijnisveld in Glasgow’s Gallowgate in August this year.

The 36-year-old repeatedly punched Ms Howatson in the head and pushed Ms Duijnisveld out of an ambulance.

He pled guilty to the two assaults at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was put under supervision for three years by Sheriff Paul Brown.

Smith was also tagged for four months keeping him indoors between 8pm and 6am.

He was also ordered to attend counselling for three years to help with PTSD linked to his time in the armed forces.

The earlier hearing was told paramedics attended a Tesco on Dalmarnock Road to treat Smith who had fallen from his electric scooter.

An agitated Smith became volatile which forced the ambulance to stop at nearby Clyde Gateway.

Prosecutor Darren Harty said: “The accused turned to Ms Howatson and punched her three times to the face striking her nose and jaw.

“The accused was restrained to the bed but he continued to lash out and said he wanted to leave.

“On attending the back of the ambulance, Ms Duijnisveld was pushed to her chest which threw her backwards.

“She stumbled back and fell from the ambulance while being followed by the accused.”

Police later attended and arrested Smith but he was not able to be cautioned or charged due to his drunken state.

The two paramedics were left with “superficial injuries.”

Umar Hussain, defending, told the court Smith was on tours of Iraq, South America and the Caribbean during his him time on the forces between 2003 and 2008.

Mr Hussain added: “In December, he found a friend deceased in a flat and this brought back memories for him.

“The smell of dead bodies brings back experiences for him being in the armed forces and he is unable to cope with that.

“He was the victim of an attack by a machete in May and was left with an injury and this is a flavour of what Mr Smith is experiencing and dealing with.”