A 40 year-old Saint John Ambulance Paramedic has been punched in the head in an unprovoked attack in Alice Springs overnight.

Detective Sergeant Janelle Snigg from the Southern Domestic Violence Prevention Unit said the Ambulance was attending an unrelated, urgent call out in Elliot Street at around 9.20pm last night when the offender approached and began punching and kicking the ambulance.  When the Paramedic exited the vehicle he was punched once to the jaw.

Detective Sergeant Snigg said the offender walked away but was arrested by Police a short time later.

“Police are stunned that an organisation that is dedicated to helping others would have one of their paramedics subject to this kind of assault.”

The 22 year-old male offender has been charged with Assaulting a Person Providing Medical Treatment and Providing a False Name to Police.

He will face the Alice Springs Magistrate Court in March.