Man found guilty of sexually assaulting a Dorset ambulance clinician
James Macky, a 58-year-old man from London, was sentenced on Friday 24 March at Bournemouth Crown Court for sexual assault against an emergency worker from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT).
A female Emergency Care Assistant from Dorset was sexually assaulted by Mr Macky after she and a fellow crew member responded to a 999 call to help him. The sexual assault happened in the back of an ambulance on the way to Poole Hospital.
Mr Macky was sentenced on Friday 24 March to three years and two months imprisonment and was put on the sex offenders register for life. The incident took place on Friday 24 June last year.
On arrival to Poole Hospital, Mr Macky also caused criminal damage to the ambulance and urinated on life-saving equipment within the vehicle. The ambulance was then subsequently out of operation for 36 hours while it was deep cleaned and repaired.
During the hearing on the Friday 24 March 2023 at Bournemouth Crown Court, James Macky was sentenced for the following charges:
- Sexual assault
- Criminal damage to property
- Racial aggravated fear/provocation of violence
The female Emergency Care Assistant who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “I do my job simply because I want to make a difference. I come to work each day to offer treatment, care, and comfort to those in greatest need.
“When I arrived for my shift, I did not expect to be spat at, sexually assaulted, and subjected to threatening behaviour, appalling racial remarks and misogynistic comments. This individual showed utter contempt towards me and my fellow crew members who were simply trying to do their jobs.
“Unfortunately, these incidents are becoming more prevalent, and no one should feel afraid to come to work. Luckily, I was wearing a body camera, which captured the assault and the footage was used as evidence.
“I would like to thank my senior officers for their support and commitment to me during this difficult time.”
Alan Packwood, Crime and Violence Reduction Officer at SWASFT, said: “What happened to our female crew member is shocking and completely unacceptable. James Macky assaulted them while they were trying to help him.
“The criminal damage to the ambulance resulted in the vehicle being taken of the road, at a time when the service was already stretched.
“As an organisation we will prosecute any individual who assaults or abuses one of our people while they are at work. Please help us to help you and treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve”