A paramedic who was attacked by a drunk university student has spoken of her anger after her attacker was freed after she served just four days behind bars.
Melissa Massey, 20, was slumped in a drunken stupor on Princess Street in Manchester when ambulance worker Ann Sumner went to her aid on New Year's Eve.
But the promising undergraduate at Oxford Brookes University responded by punching 43-year-old Miss Sumner in the face and pulling out clumps of her hair.
Massey, of Pendle Road, Denton, was ordered to spend eight weeks behind bars on Monday.
But, following an appeal at Manchester Crown Court on Friday morning her sentence was suspended for two years, allowing her to walk free from court after just four days in Styal prison.
Mis Sumner, who has worked as a paramedic in Manchester City Centre for more than 20 years, told the MEN she was dismayed to learn that Massey had been freed.
She said: “I'm really disappointed, everyone has been talking to me about the sentence, people within the service were really pleased at the message it sent out – that the courts were taking attacks on paramedics serious.
“If anything people have been telling me they think the sentence was too short.
“I hope this does not undermine the message the courts were trying to send out in the first place and that people don't think now they can attack paramedics and there will be no consequences.
“As far as I'm concerned she has admitted the crime now she should be doing the time.”
Paramedic relives 'nightmare' attack
Massey, who sobbed throughout her appeal hearing on Friday, refused to comment after coming out from the cells.
In a statement made on her behalf by her solicitor Alistair Reid she said: “I’m very sorry for what happened and deeply regret it. I’m relieved and grateful for the decision of the court.”
After hearing Massey’s appeal Mr Recorder Alldis told the undergraduate that she had ‘turned herself into a drunken animal’ on the night of the attack – and that booze-fuelled violence was ‘a curse on modern society’.
He added that while he understood why the decision was taken to jail her on the spot, consideration should have been given to a suspended sentence at the magistrates court because her youth, previous good character, and 'industrious nature'.
Drunken animal
Representing Massey, Alistair Reid told court that prison had been a ‘short, sharp shock’ for the business student, who is on course for a first class degree and has an internship lined up at a business innovation consultancy.
Mr Reid said that Massey had ‘absolute sympathy’ for the victim because she had been run over by a drunk driver as a child.
This earlier experience, he claimed, had left her ‘particularly apprehensive around medical staff’.
He said that was ‘the only possible explanation she can give why she lashed out and reacted in such an appalling manner’.
Before suspending Miss Massey’s sentence and ordering her to do 180 hours unpaid work and give £350 in compensation to her victim, Mr Recorder Alldis said: “Hitherto you have apparently led a blameless and industrious life but on this occasion you turned yourself into a drunken animal.”
He added: “As anybody who reads the newspapers these days will appreciate, this type of late night drink-fuelled violence is all too prevalent. Such violence is particularly serious where it is wreaked on public servants endeavouring to do their duty; in this case the paramedic you attacked had tried to help you.”
“However, having regard to your youth, your previous good character, and your apparently industrious nature and the fact there’s no suggestion that this is the sort of conduct you are wont to indulge in on any other than this one isolated occasion we feel consideration should gave been given to suspending a custodial sentence.”
Paramedic relives 'nightmare' attack
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Well theres the British legal system for you.....what next?
obscene, disgusting, on what grounds has this ANIMAL BEEN FREED. Appalling, she will be in the pubs in Denton tonight showing off with her mother.
Unbelievable; what message does this send to all the thugs and wanabee thugs who think its OK to get drunk and then physically assault a member of the emergency services or any one else for that matter?
out you go scumbags, enjoy this evening and if anyone comes to help you smack em in the gob.
May the idiots in our legal system who let this piece of work go free hang their heads in shame.
Her punishment is the criminal record. Thats a life sentence , for someone with aspirations.
Just when I think the justice system has reached it's bottom ebb....
Drunken louts attacking paramedics
Terror suspects allowed to remain in Britain
I'm not even a daily mail reader but I'm starting to sound like one
Where's the justice for Miss Sumner? And before that poster comes on banging on about how she's half the size of her victim, it doesn't matter! Violence is violence regardless of size, school playground rules don't count in the real world.
Here goes our out of touch judges and magistrates yet again. When can we start electing these people? Surely the Tory Govt can't allow this to keep happening.
"Soft on crime, soft on the cuases of crime"
No doubt she'll be cellabrating with a drink or two.... Paramedics should refuse to work the city centre as a protest about this.
Absolutely disgusting
Absolutely disgusting
MPs gravy train, UK
The trouble is that we haven't got a true right wing Tory Government but a Government lumbered in a coalition with the meeley mouthed liberals who are the champions of the criminals, terrorists and illegal immigrants. The Tory party promised to repeal the criminals charter the Human Rights Act if they came to power; I bet that that won't happen now that the tree huggers have got a toe in power.
Disgusting situation. She have let the "Lady" rot in the street.
In other words, go out and do it again because our prisons are full.
Another insult to our justice system and of course, the victim.
High flyer? I know I wouldn't employ her after this.
[quote name=The Vermin Slayer, Everywhere]MPs gravy train, UK
The trouble is that we haven't got a true right wing Tory Government but a Government lumbered in a coalition with the meeley mouthed liberals who are the champions of the criminals, terrorists and illegal immigrants. The Tory party promised to repeal the criminals charter the Human Rights Act if they came to power; I bet that that won't happen now that the tree huggers have got a toe in power.[/quote]
There too busy trying to bring back fox hunting. Anyway this is Manchester, the Tories are only interested in what theh can take from us not what they can give.
Sometimes I amaze myself: See the judge agrees with me that community service is more appropriate in this case. Leave her be and let her get on with her life. She has more than paid her debt to society.
I think I'm just gunna randomly kill someone.
I imagine at this rate I'll be showered with riches by the courts. Maybe even have a public holiday named in my honour :).
Very True. She can kiss could bye to getting a visa to study in the US after this.
"Disgusting situation. She have let the "Lady" rot in the street."
She would of saved herself getting hit, make u think if people are to drunk then leave them.
"Another insult to our justice system and of course, the victim.
High flyer? I know I wouldn't employ her after this."
Well obvious noone should ever be employed if they do something wrong
Absolutely disgusting!!! Where is the justice for Miss Sumner??? This drunken animal should have never been freed so she could learn her lesson. Am sick to death of this legal system letting off criminals so lightly. I hope this thug gets a criminal record or is that too going to be removed???
The ruling class looking after the future ruling class.
Open season on Paramedics now.....
HOW WILL SHE CELEBRATE????
GO OUT FOR A DRINK OR 2??
GET HAMMERED??FALL OVER??HIT A PARAMEDIC??