King’s Lynn man jailed for 12 months for assaulting emergency workers

A drug-user who assaulted five emergency workers has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after appearing at Norwich Magistrates Court.

Paul Simper, 44, of no fixed address in King’s Lynn, appeared at court on Monday (30 December) and pleaded guilty to five counts of assaulting emergency workers, four NHS workers and a police officer, on December 28.

The court heard how a paramedic had been called after Simper was found with a suspected cardiac arrest at King’s Lynn bus station during the afternoon of Saturday 28 December 2024. Simper was discovered slumped on a bench.

The paramedics moved Simper to an ambulance where a member of the public informed them that Simper had taken a cocktail of drugs including cocaine, heroin, a synthetic opioid among other substances.

Simper was then administered Narcan to counteract the suspected drug overdose and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment. When he began to wake, he started to move his arms and became animated. Other medical staff were alerted and Simper began swearing. As staff tried to take him from the ambulance on a trolley, he began grabbing at equipment. As the paramedic tried to detangle him, Simper, who had contracted HIV, spat in his face.

A nurse was trying to help move Simper and warned him they would not treat him if his behaviour continued. He then kicked her several times in the leg area, causing her to hit a nearby wall.
Security officers were then called and removed Simper from the hospital, he then spat at them. Both staff and security had to restrain Simper until police arrived.

Two officers were sent to do a bed watch to remain with Simper while he underwent treatment. Simper was in and out consciousness but whilst lucid he verbally abused the officers. They began to escort him to the toilet where he kicked one of the officers in the leg and pushed him backwards.

Simper was arrested for the offences and an assault the previous month on November 2, which he also admitted, again on a nurse at the same hospital, as she had tried to help him take his belongings and he became abusive and threatened to punch her in the face.

The defendant also admitted an offence of causing a nuisance or disturbance on NHS premises.

Simper was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154.