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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Paramedic jailed over 999 death | Paramedic jailed over 999 death |
| (10 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. | Harris was told he must serve at least six months in prison. |
| 'Breach of trust' | 'Breach of trust' |
| Jurors at Lewes Crown Court took about four hours to reach a guilty verdict. | |
| Sentencing Harris immediately, Judge Guy Anthony said the paramedic 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. |
| A post-mortem examination found that a combination of Mr Baker's 30-stone (190.5 kg) weight, along with thrombosis of the legs, led to the cardiac arrest which killed him. | |
| During the trial, a recording of a telephone call Harris made to the Brighton Ambulance Station was played to the court, in which he was heard to say: "I'm trying to cover my back here really. | |
| "We tried to move this guy but it's impossible. You've never seen clutter like it mate, honestly. | |
| "Police are on the scene but there's nothing dodgy about the job. We just didn't try to attempt resuscitation." | |
| Harris 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. |