A NURSE has been told she must pay out more than �2,000 after being convicted of a drunken attack on a Suffolk paramedic who was treating her.

Nicollette Youngman lashed out at Neil Lawrence in an ambulance and at Ipswich Hospital after he was called to her aid in Tacket Street, Ipswich.

Youngman, who was on a night out in the town, appeared in distress when an ambulance was called just after midnight on July 5 last year.

According to police reports, paramedics were told that a female was very intoxicated.

After assessing her condition, they decided 42-year-old Youngman would need to be treated in hospital due to her drunken state.

The nurse started striking out at the ambulance crew as she was being transported to the hospital in Heath Road.

Youngman was continually warned about the zero-tolerance policy the ambulance service has towards its staff being abused or insulted. However, she is said to have repeatedly slapped Mr Lawrence around the legs.

The assault continued when they reached Ipswich Hospital.

Youngman was wheeled into the accident and emergency department and taken to a cubicle, where she slapped Mr Lawrence in the face. The incident was reported to have been seen by Mr Lawrence’s colleague and a nurse.

Youngman – who works at Whipps Cross Hospital in London – had denied the assault, but was found guilty following a trial at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court.

She was fined �1,000 and ordered to pay �200 compensation to Mr Lawrence. Youngman was also told to pay �800 in court costs and a �15 victim surcharge.

After the case, a spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: “We were called to this woman’s aid because there was concern about her wellbeing. The vast majority of people are supportive of the ambulance service and this judgement helps to underline that.

“The ability of our staff to work safely and unhindered is paramount, and we consider any violence against them to be absolutely unacceptable.”

It is possible Youngman, of Chigwell, could now face further disciplinary proceedings should police refer her case to the Nursing and Midwifery council.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “We have an arrangement with police that if someone is convicted of a crime we would receive a referral relating to the individual.

“I cannot comment on any specific referral until or unless a hearing has been scheduled.”