** Former Ontario paramedic given nine months house arrest after child porn conviction

CANADA NEWS

** Nine months house arrest and a subsequent nine month curfew is the sentence given to a former Ontario paramedic convicted of making child porn. That is the word from the Chatham Daily News (Susan Gamble/November 24) which said Norfolk resident Todd Frederick Boylan, 49, who was also an auxiliary police officer, pleaded guilty to the charge. According to the news site, Justice Gethin Edward said Boylan’s phone photos were largely benign and depicted fully clothed children in public places. However, a subsequent search of his home found images of the buttocks of young boys and girls. Boylan, himself, sparked the investigation into his actions when he contacted police about a child he believed was in danger. Oddly, the child did not exist but his behaviour eventually led to the execution of a search warrant.

** UK man set to be sentenced for threatening to cut off paramedic’s ear

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** Sentencing has been set for December 6^th for a Portsmouth man who threatened to cut off a paramedic’s ear with a meat cleaver in February of 2021. That is the word from the BBC (November 24) which said the incident played out when medics were called to treat a patient with breathing problems. According to the news service, medics almost immediately retreated back to their vehicle after Paul Searle, 59, became agitated. When the prehospital rig attempted to leave, he pulled the medic from the reversing vehicle, hacking at his hand. The second paramedic then tackled him. Following the attack, Searle was charged and convicted of wounding with intent. There is no word on the extent of the injuries suffered by the practitioners. A spokesman for the The South Central Ambulance Service, meanwhile, declined to comment.

** New Zealand paramedic, convicted of sexually assaulting female patients, loses bid at parole

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

** A former New Zealand paramedic, convicted in December of 2014 of sexually assaulting patients in his care, has had parole denied until at least 2024. That is the word from stuff.co.nz (Marty Sharpe/November 23) which said Christopher King, 57, will continue serving his 14 ½ year sentence behind bars. According to the news site, King appeared before the Parole Board in early November after being enrolled in a child sex offenders program. Along with assaulting children as young as 11, his victims ranged in age up to 56.