Man faked being stabbed to get free lift home in ambulance

He said he dialled 999 because he wanted a lift home and then spat on a paramedic

He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker (Warwickshire Police/SWNS)

A man has been jailed after faking being stabbed to blag a free lift home in an ambulance before spitting at a paramedic.

Christian Monreal, 28, dialled 999 claiming he had been knifed outside a supermarket in Atherstone, Warwickshire.

Rescue teams raced to the scene in the early hours of 13 April but found Monreal uninjured.

He told ambulance crews he dialled 999 because he wanted a lift home but when it was refused he spat on a paramedic.

He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and while he was searched police found three buds of cannabis.

Monreal was taken into police custody but later that day he smashed up his cell and spat at a custody officer.

He was released and received treatment at the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, Warks., and was discharged on 23 April.

When he refused to leave security was called and he became aggressive to staff.

He was escorted off the site but he became abusive and flicked a lit cigarette at one of the guards, causing a burn on her neck.

On 11 October, Monreal was jailed for six months at Warwick Crown Court.

PC Craig Pearson, of Warwickshire Police, said: “Clearly, there are issues that Monreal must work through. But ultimately he is a danger to others and the courts have found him to be fit to take responsibility for his actions.

“The fact that Monreal feels he is entitled to abuse police staff, paramedics and NHS staff is seriously concerning. We absolutely welcome this sentence.

“I hope it serves as a warning to others - attack the people who work day and night to keep you safe and you will be locked up.”

George Eliot Hospital’s chief operating officer Robin Snead said: “Our staff work incredibly hard to look after people who need our care.

“We will not accept them being abused or assaulted and will always work with the police to seek prosecution for those who perpetrate these disgraceful attacks.”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Ambulance staff come to work to care for others in their time of need, yet all too often they are greeted by violence and abuse.

“Assaults on ambulance staff, whether it be physical or verbal, are not okay and we welcome the sentencing.

“We hope that it opens people’s eyes to the impact that abuse has on staff as well as reinforcing the message that abusive behaviour of any form is totally unacceptable.”