Paramedic 'attacked with hammer by Ipswich woman she treated'

A paramedic was attacked with a hammer by a woman she had treated for chest complaints, a court has heard.

Emma Cornford, 37, was called to a sheltered housing development in Roundwood Road, Ipswich, last November.

Ipswich Crown Court heard how Patricia Gosling struck Ms Cornford with the hammer after being checked over and referred to her GP.

Mrs Gosling, 55, has admitted unlawful wounding but denies intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The paramedic told the court that Mrs Gosling had screamed at her to leave the flat before brandishing the hammer.

'Puncture wounds'

The claws of the hammer went into the palm of Ms Cornford's hand as she tried to protect her head, the court heard.

"I was incredibly scared and in a lot of pain," she told the jury.

Ms Cornford said she was followed into the hallway and struck on the back with what she thought was another blow from the hammer.

She was taken to hospital and underwent surgery for puncture wounds.

Mrs Gosling told police after the incident: "She wouldn't go. I told her to go. So I hit her with a hammer."

Speaking in court, Mrs Gosling, who has mental health problems, said she sometimes heard voices but not on this occasion,

When asked if she meant to cause the paramedic serious injury, she replied: "No I did not."

The trial continues.