A drug addict who ransacked an ambulance and left a trail of syringes and needles has been jailed for almost two years.
Paramedics came to the aid of Daniel Cahill when he was found lying unconscious in the street.
But they were forced to flee their vehicle – leaving the 33-year-old “in charge” – when he flew into a rage while receiving treatment.
Cahill appeared at the city’s sheriff court and admitted stealing from the ambulance in Scone and acting in a threatening or abusive way on June 22 last year – just days after he had been released from prison.
Jailing him again, for 22 months, Sheriff William Wood told Cahill he had deprived the public of vital services.
Medical emergency
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie said Cahill had 52 convictions for crimes of violence, disorder and drugs.
She said: “At about 5.40pm, ambulance technicians attended at Marlee Place following reports of an unconscious male.
“They found the accused on the ground and managed to rouse him.
“They then conveyed him into the ambulance for assessment and treatment.”
Police officers also attended but were stood down when it appeared to be a medical matter.
Ms Ritchie told the court: “The accused appeared to be under the influence of opiates, so he was treated with Naloxone which is an opioid-reversal agent.
“He was advised that he should be taken to hospital for further checks but when he was told he would have to go to Ninewells, he became aggressive and started shouting and swearing.
“His demeanour became increasingly irate and he became verbally abusive to the witnesses, who became concerned for their safety.
“They exited the vehicle and contacted the police.”
‘Left in charge’ of ambulance
Ms Ritchie said Cahill stayed in the ambulance.
“He began to rummage through medical kit, bags and drawers.
“He also threw several items including an electronic tablet used by ambulance technicians.
“The accused found needles, syringes and a box of Naloxone.
“He took them as he exited the ambulance and made his way off on foot.”
Paramedics watched Cahill disappear down a close, before making his escape through back gardens.
“They followed the accused and found a quantity of syringes and needles lying in the close,” the fiscal depute said.
“By this time, officers returned to the scene and observed the accused walking out onto the street.”
Cahill was arrested and taken into custody.
Jail ‘inevitable’
Solicitor Billy Somerville, defending, said: “Mr Cahill accepts – quite candidly – that he cannot recall anything of that evening.
“He had consumed Valium, not opiates, and he certainly did not want to go to Dundee.”
His client “recognised what his problems are,” Mr Somerville said.
“I have explained to him that, even without his record, a custodial sentence is probably inevitable.”
Sheriff Wood told Cahill: “At the time this offence was committed, you had only just been released from prison.
“That is a matter that concerns me, because clearly prison doesn’t appear to be having the desired effect.”
He said: “This was a serious matter.
“You have deprived the public of emergency services by placing these paramedics in a state of fear and alarm, to such an extent that they had to abandon their vehicle, effectively leaving you in charge.
“Mr Somerville has rightly summarised that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
The sheriff added: “It is hoped that you will now reflect on your behaviour and won’t do anything so stupid as taking drugs as soon as your released from jail.”
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