A DRUNK found slumped in the street assaulted a paramedic who came to his aid.After rejecting help, Kevin Perrement demanded a lift off the paramedic and grabbed him to get his attention, a court heard.

A DRUNK found slumped in the street assaulted a paramedic who came to his aid.

After rejecting help, Kevin Perrement demanded a lift off the paramedic and grabbed him to get his attention, a court heard.

He admitted being drunk in the town's Dogs Head Street and assaulting the ambulance personnel.

The medic arrived on scene after the 44-year-old looked as if he was unconscious, said Godfried Duah prosecuting at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

Mr Duah said: "He was slumped in the street. The paramedic spoke to him and Perrement made clear he was uninjured.

"He followed the paramedic and insisted on getting a lift."

The victim went back to his vehicle to fill in paperwork, but Perrement continued to follow him.

He grabbed the man's right arm, then knocked his clipboard, causing his thumb to bend backwards.

Mr Duah told magistrates: "It was clear there were no injuries but it [the victim] is a front line person who should not be subject to this kind of treatment.

"When police arrived and arrested him he could not stand on his feet. This is a gentleman who seems to have a problem with alcohol."

Nicky Edgar, mitigating, said Perrement, who spent a night in the police cells, had a history of drink related matters.

He lost his job due to alcohol two and a half years ago and recently split with his girlfriend.

He has been sleeping rough for six weeks after he was evicted for getting behind on his rent.

During his time on the streets he was beaten up several times when drunk and ended up in hospital. However he now has a home and recently moved into St Francis Court, Ipswich.

He was sentenced to a six week suspended jail sentence, which will be suspended for one year.

Bench chairwoman Bernie Stowe, told him: "We consider this assault on a paramedic doing his duty as a serious one." But magistrates accepted there was limited contact.

No separate penalty was given for the drunk and disorderly offence.

He was ordered to pay £30 compensation to the victim.