Nwicker60
04-Oct-13, 18:51
Worried paramedics battled to control Thurso man's soaring temperature
A COURT heard today of the bizarre effect a 'substance' taken by Paul Robertson had on him.
He trashed furniture at his home, in Thurso, began grinding his teeth when police arrived, his temperature soared, and he obstructed a paramedic after being put in an ambulance and spat blood at him.
Wick Sheriff Court heard that paramedics tried to cut his clothes off Robertson in a bid to cool him down and his condition was so serious that he was airlifted to an intensive care unit in Paisley where he recovered.
Robertson, 30, admitted threatening or abusive conduct at his home at 40 Sweyn Road, Thurso, on August 26, and assaulting, obstructing or hindering a paramedic.
David Barclay, prosecuting, described it as “a strange case”. The 30-year-old had, for some time been taking legal highs and whatever he had consumed on this occasion, it appeared to have “reacted badly on him”.
The accused began shouting and swearing, knocking furniture over, causing considerable damage. His partner became very concerned and a neighbour who heard the rumpus, contacted the police.
Mr Barclay said that officers were confronted with a scene of “utter destruction” and noted that Robertson was “under the influence of something.”
The fiscal depute continued: “The officers were very concerned for the accused’s temperature. He was extremely hot and the police tried to get towels to cool him down. Robertson was still acting in an erratic manner.”
After being put into an ambulance, the accused struggled with the paramedics trying to attend to his condition and spat blood in the face of one of them, Scott Falconer.
“The paramedics were desperately trying to treat him because he was in a very bad way, said Mr Barclay who continued: “ His temperature was found to be 41.5 C and the paramedics were desperately trying to cut Robertson’s clothes off, as part of their efforts to cool him down. It was obvious to them that the symptoms were consistent with him having taken some form of substance.”
Mr Barclay added: “At the local hospital, it was noted that Robertson had an abnormally high fever, and what is described as an active cooling procedure was commenced, to try to control his temperature. He was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit at the Paisley’s Royal Alexandria Hospital.”
The fiscal added that the staff there, didn’t know what Robertson had taken, but his partner was able to tell them that he had had no adverse reaction to substances he had taken previously.
Sheriff Andrew Berry deferred sentence until November 1 for a social inquiry report which he hoped would provide an insight into the background to the case and will hear mitigation from the accused’s solicitor, Fiona MacDonald.
A COURT heard today of the bizarre effect a 'substance' taken by Paul Robertson had on him.
He trashed furniture at his home, in Thurso, began grinding his teeth when police arrived, his temperature soared, and he obstructed a paramedic after being put in an ambulance and spat blood at him.
Wick Sheriff Court heard that paramedics tried to cut his clothes off Robertson in a bid to cool him down and his condition was so serious that he was airlifted to an intensive care unit in Paisley where he recovered.
Robertson, 30, admitted threatening or abusive conduct at his home at 40 Sweyn Road, Thurso, on August 26, and assaulting, obstructing or hindering a paramedic.
David Barclay, prosecuting, described it as “a strange case”. The 30-year-old had, for some time been taking legal highs and whatever he had consumed on this occasion, it appeared to have “reacted badly on him”.
The accused began shouting and swearing, knocking furniture over, causing considerable damage. His partner became very concerned and a neighbour who heard the rumpus, contacted the police.
Mr Barclay said that officers were confronted with a scene of “utter destruction” and noted that Robertson was “under the influence of something.”
The fiscal depute continued: “The officers were very concerned for the accused’s temperature. He was extremely hot and the police tried to get towels to cool him down. Robertson was still acting in an erratic manner.”
After being put into an ambulance, the accused struggled with the paramedics trying to attend to his condition and spat blood in the face of one of them, Scott Falconer.
“The paramedics were desperately trying to treat him because he was in a very bad way, said Mr Barclay who continued: “ His temperature was found to be 41.5 C and the paramedics were desperately trying to cut Robertson’s clothes off, as part of their efforts to cool him down. It was obvious to them that the symptoms were consistent with him having taken some form of substance.”
Mr Barclay added: “At the local hospital, it was noted that Robertson had an abnormally high fever, and what is described as an active cooling procedure was commenced, to try to control his temperature. He was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit at the Paisley’s Royal Alexandria Hospital.”
The fiscal added that the staff there, didn’t know what Robertson had taken, but his partner was able to tell them that he had had no adverse reaction to substances he had taken previously.
Sheriff Andrew Berry deferred sentence until November 1 for a social inquiry report which he hoped would provide an insight into the background to the case and will hear mitigation from the accused’s solicitor, Fiona MacDonald.