AN Irvine man who assaulted a paramedic during a drugs binge must pay compensation.

Johnathan Burns, of Burnbrae Drive, carried out the attack whilst under the influence in Kilwinning’s Garnock View on June 1.

The 26-year-old also admitted struggling with police, behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, shouting, swearing and entering a house in Waterside Road without permission.

According to his lawyer, Burns ended up hospitalised with near-liver failure thanks to his drug-fuelled bender.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court previously heard how at around 10am on the date in question, Burns entered a shop in the Woodwynd claiming that somebody had been chasing him.

After leaving the shop and heading round the corner to Waterside Road roughly 10 minutes later, Burns was heard shouting: “Help me! Help me! Someone has died!”

Witnesses noted that Burns was seen peeking up from behind cars shouting the same words. He then got up and ran across the road shouting: “Help me! Help me!” and entered the back garden of a property. Concerned neighbours came out and found Burns to be agitated.

The court heard how shortly afterwards Burns began sprinting at people before trying to gain entry to a property.

Around 10 minutes later, Burns returned to the shop and was described as acting in a paranoid manner, suggesting that someone had been looking for him.

He began screaming: “Leave me alone!” before falling to the floor and repeatedly striking his head shouting “f*** off, f*****g leave me alone” before shouting “f*****g p****” to staff.

After police and paramedics were contacted, Burns ran towards Garnock View where he was found by officers.

Burns was discovered staggering through various gardens and it was clear that he was heavily intoxicated.

Attempts were made to get Burns, who suffered cuts to his legs, in an ambulance.

This did not go down well and he became aggressive, but appeared to calm down.

However, it wasn’t long before Burns kicked a medic who was trying to attend to him.

Straps were applied and Burns was taken to Crosshouse Hospital. 

He was not cautioned or charged by police due to his intoxicated state.

Burns previously pleaded guilty to the offences and returned to court last week following the production of social work reports.

Colin McLaughlin, defending, said his client took substances both illicit and legal but said this was not his normal type of behaviour.

Mr McLaughlin said Burns was a young man with a good work career having been involved with a number of different companies including work in shipyards.

He said Burns now seems to be leading a more “positive and proper” social life and the offence should be viewed as an isolated incident.

Mr McLaughlin revealed to presiding Sheriff Iona McDonald that Burns ended up in hospital for “three to four” days because of his self-afflicted blowout.

According to Mr McLaughlin, Burns has had to deal with a number of family issues in the past and says he had done well to get as far as he had done in life.

When passing sentence, Sheriff McDonald said: “A very strange episode, Mr Burns, it seems you had taken a cocktail of drugs which had a very serious effect on you.

“It’s clear from the report they do not consider you a serious risk to the community.

“The reduction is you’re not going to jail, Mr Burns.”

Burns was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. 

He will also pay the paramedic £150 compensation.