A MAN who attacked two paramedics and a police officer believing they were robbers has escaped jail.

Joseph Mark Betteridge left court with a community order today (Tuesday, May 26) – despite injuring a trio of emergency workers in a drunken rage.

Darlington man Betteridge, 42, passed out in a taxi on his way home from an all-night party at 11am on Monday, April 13.

Paramedics called to deal with the unconscious, intoxicated man were physically attacked when he came round and became abusive.

The pair were left with injuries including a broken collarbone and damaged testicle while a passing police officer who stopped to assist was also attacked and threatened repeatedly.

At an earlier hearing, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard that Betteridge - of Outram Court, Darlington - had woken up confused and automatically lashed out, presuming that the emergency services personnel were robbing him.

However, magistrates were today informed that the incident - which happened around Darlington's market square - had been prolonged and violent.

Prosecutor Rachael Dodsworth said Betteridge had been verbally and physically abusive as the trio attempted to help him, swearing at the paramedics and threatening to track down and kill the female officer.

Ms Dodsworth read comments from one ambulance worker to the court, saying: “The whole incident lasted around 15 minutes and during that time I was extremely fearful of my safety and that of my colleague, the police officer and members of the public.

“No person has the right to be violent to me when I’m trying to do my job.”

A probation report was also read to the court, in which Betteridge – who has 44 separate convictions – was described as disgusted with himself.

A representative from the probation service said Betteridge’s life had spiralled downwards when he became unemployed and fell back into bad habits.

He added: “He is ashamed and disgusted, particularly that the police officer was female and especially of the impact his actions have had on his family.”

The chair of the bench, Esme Mason, handed Betteridge a 12 month community order with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

She ordered him to pay compensation of £50 to the officer, £75 to one paramedic and £200 to the other, to cover the cost of damaged glasses.

He was also ordered to pay £150 costs with all fines and compensation set to be deducted from his benefits at the rate of £5 a week.