Fire-fighter receives compensation after attack
A fire-fighter has received compensation for suffering from a broken elbow after being attacked by a gang of youths after they had stolen his equipment.
Peter Woodhead, 41 had suffered from personal injuries when he and his colleagues had some of their equipment stolen whilst attending a blaze at a house in Stockton.
Three fire-fighters had been attacked after trying to retrieve their equipment from a group of 15 youths. Some had been using fence posts as weapons.
Mr Woodhead said: “We arrived at the address to help put out a fire but instead we were met by youths giving us verbal abuse and trying to steal our equipment. When one of the fire fighters chased after a youth who had stolen a box of smoke alarms, a defibrillator and first aid equipment he was surrounded by about 15 youths, some with fence posts.”
One of the youths hit Mr Woodhead twice breaking his elbow.
He said: "I've never seen anything like it in my 15 years as a firefighter.
It is disheartening to know that people in the very community you are trying to help are willing to steal our equipment and attack us."
Mr Woodhead had received compensation through the Criminal Injury Compensation Association (CICA) for his injury and being unable to work.
Updated on 12/02/2009