A paramedic who lied about his failure to attempt resuscitation on a 30-stone heart attack victim has been jailed for one year. Karl Harris, 45, told a trainee colleague 'not to bother' giving first aid to Barry Baker, 59, who collapsed during a 999 call in November 2008.
Harris, a former soldier with the Parachute Regiment, then attempted to involve trainee Ben Stokes in a deception, falsely claiming Mr Baker had collapsed before the ambulance arrived. He filled in forms dishonestly and told police the victim's body was wedged in a cluttered alcove in a house in 'a right old state'.
At Lewes Crown Court, the jury rejected Harris's not guilty plea to perverting the course of justice after four hours of deliberation. Judge Guy Anthony said his actions struck at the 'roots of justice and the trust people have in the ambulance service', describing it as 'a gross breach of trust through a clear and deliberate decision to lie'.
The court heard that ambulance regulations require vigorous resuscitation attempts for approximately 20 minutes whenever there is a chance of survival. However, the Crown accepted that Mr Baker would not have survived regardless, and Harris was not held responsible for his death.
Harris claimed his eight years of experience led him to believe Mr Baker was dead, and that resuscitation was physically impossible due to the victim's size and the chaotic state of his home. Stokes, who had never worked with Harris before, said he felt 'sick' when told to join the lie.
Harris, of Portslade, East Sussex, has been suspended from the South East Coast Ambulance Service since a colleague raised concerns. An internal investigation will now determine his future employment.
