AN OSWESTRY man who lunged at two paramedics at his flat with a six-inch kitchen knife while drunk has been spared jail.

Joseph Farrell, 49 and of Llywn Road, was sentenced to an 18-month community order at Shrewsbury Crown Court for the offences against the paramedics on March 31 this year.

Farrell pleaded guilty to the offences at Shrewsbury Crown Court, sitting at Telford Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 9.

Judge Anthony Lowe heard that on March 31, paramedics were called to the defendant’s home by his GP amd concerns for his mental health.

The medics arrived accompanied by police, and began treating him before realising he was drunk as he was slurring his words, and was dressed in a shirt and boxer shorts.

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When one female paramedic asked Farrell – who has schizoaffective disorder and is bi-polar – whether he had anything that could harm himself or others, she spotted two knives in an empty box that had contained cans of Strongbow cider.

He picked one up and lunged at the emergency worker, who says she had been left ‘emotional and shook’ by the ordeal and has been forced to miss work.

The male paramedic was also lunged at by Farrell and both left the property immediately while police arrested the defendant.

The defendant admitted the offences in interview and told police he had been experiencing hallucinations in relation to his medical condition.

In mitigation, Judge Lowe heard that the defendant was ‘extremely remorseful’ and was ‘deeply sorry’ and did not want to harm the paramedics.

The judge also heard that he was now managing his schizoaffective disorder with medication, a psychologist and specialist care, and had also stopped drinking and is looking to volunteer.

Sentencing Farrell, Judge Lowe said he was hopeful that this was a ‘one-off’ case.

He said: “As you can imagine, if somebody lunges at paramedic with a knife, guidelines or no guidelines, prison is likely where they end up.

“But after I’ve reduced it for your early plea and your good character, it’s not in the public interest to send you to prison.

“Given your medical condition, this wouldn’t be the right outcome.

“But what worries me is that you did it – you’re 49 and you’ve had these issues all your life so why on this occasion did you lose complete control.

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“I’m going to take the chance that this is a one-off but alcohol is a trigger.

“I’m going to make an 18-month community order because it’s a serious offence and when people have the difficulties you have, probation is there to support you.”

Farrell was also ordered to carry out 15 rehabilitation activity days and a six-month alcohol treatment order.