A heroin addict who broke the nose of a paramedic who tried to help him has been jailed for two years.

Sean Abraham punched Clifford Winch in the face in the back of an Ambulance.

The medic was left with a fractured nose and colleague Max Braham's arm was scratched during the attack on April 1.(09) Both were left traumatised by the incident, Hove Crown Court was told yesterday.(fri) Abraham, 27, was staying with his parents at a caravan park in Hastings while trying to wean himself off heroin.

He began suffering withdrawal symptoms and his parents arranged for prescription drugs to be delivered to help.

Ryan Richter, prosecuting, said Abraham became aggressive after taking the drugs all in one go.

The ambulance crew found three people sitting on Abraham trying to restrain him when they arrived.

He was taken to the ambulance suffering from a suspected overdose but continued to be aggressive and was asked to leave the vehicle.

He turned back and punched Mr Winch in the face fracturing his nose, making it bleed.

Abraham, of Bracken Close, Crowborough, admitted causing actual bodily harm to Mr Winch and common assault on Mr Braham.

Dennis Kavanagh, defending, said: “These were not premeditated assaults. He is not someone who gratuitously attacked ambulance staff.

“The cocktail of drugs and drink he had taken in one go addled his thoughts and significantly affected his ability to control himself.”

Judge Anthony Niblett said: “The victims of your violence were ambulance crew called to help you.

“Despite the risk you posed to them those two men bravely decided to go to your assistance.

“In the state you were in you responded with violence towards them and were out of control.

“Both have experienced a significant degree of emotional trauma as a result of what happened.

“A deterrent sentence is called for to protect public servants such as this and to punish you.

“Those who are dedicated to public service such as these ambulancemen are entitled to know that the courts will protect them.”

David Dixon, a security management specialist for South East Coast Ambulance Trust, welcomed the sentence.

He said: “We have prosecuted 40 people so far this year for assaults on ambulance staff.

“It is unacceptable for people to assault those who are essentially there to help them.

“We will always take sanctions with the police and courts to prosecute anyone who assaults our staff.”