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| Paramedic jailed over 999 death | Paramedic jailed over 999 death |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A paramedic has been jailed for 12 months for lying about why he did not try to resuscitate a 30-stone man. | A paramedic has been jailed for 12 months for lying about why he did not try to resuscitate a 30-stone man. |
| Barry Baker, 59, had dialled 999 after collapsing at his Brighton home in November 2008. | Barry Baker, 59, had dialled 999 after collapsing at his Brighton home in November 2008. |
| Paramedic Karl Harris, 45, said he could not resuscitate him because he was surrounded by clutter. Mr Baker suffered cardiac arrest and died later. | Paramedic Karl Harris, 45, said he could not resuscitate him because he was surrounded by clutter. Mr Baker suffered cardiac arrest and died later. |
| Harris, of Tophill Close, Portslade, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of perverting the course of justice. | Harris, of Tophill Close, Portslade, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of perverting the course of justice. |
| Harris was told he must serve at least six months in prison. | |
| 'Breach of trust' | |
| Jurors at Lewes Crown Court took about four hours to find Harris guilty of a charge of perverting the course of justice. | |
| Sentencing him immediately, Judge Guy Anthony said he had demonstrated a "gross breach of trust". | |
| The court heard Mr Baker dialled 999 at 0414 GMT on 29 November 2008 after experiencing breathing difficulties. | The court heard Mr Baker dialled 999 at 0414 GMT on 29 November 2008 after experiencing breathing difficulties. |
| Harris told the court he arrived at the house but a large amount of clutter surrounding Mr Baker had prevented him and his colleague, Ben Stokes, from moving and resuscitating him. | Harris told the court he arrived at the house but a large amount of clutter surrounding Mr Baker had prevented him and his colleague, Ben Stokes, from moving and resuscitating him. |
| He was suspended from his job at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust following Mr Baker's death. | He was suspended from his job at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust following Mr Baker's death. |
| No charges were brought against Mr Stokes but the ambulance trust placed him on restricted duties following the incident. | No charges were brought against Mr Stokes but the ambulance trust placed him on restricted duties following the incident. |