Teenager Attacks Paramedics, Spits at Officer During Infamous Pub Crawl

A teenage girl who consumed a large quantity of alcohol during the Otley Run pub crawl in Leeds became violent and assaulted paramedics and a police officer. Cleopatra Fowler, 19, turned aggressive when emergency services responded to assist a friend in her group who had collapsed during the event.

Paramedics arrived at an address on Otley Road in July to find the young woman unconscious. According to prosecutor Farrah Khan, Fowler verbally abused the ambulance crew and later pushed three of them as they attempted to provide aid. The situation escalated to the point where police assistance was required. Fowler was subsequently handcuffed and taken to a hospital.

At the hospital, Fowler spat at a police officer, leading to a further arrest. A statement from one of the paramedics described the incident as upsetting, expressing that their job is to help people and not to be assaulted. Another paramedic echoed these sentiments, stating they did not wish to come to work to face such attacks. The police officer involved confirmed that Fowler spat in their direction, and the contact with their leg was observed by a nurse.

The court was informed that assaults on emergency workers in the Leeds area occur with a frequency of 51 per week. Prosecutor Khan emphasized that these workers, who are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters, become victims when attacked.

Fowler pleaded guilty to assaulting three paramedics by beating and assaulting a constable in the execution of their duties. Her defense lawyer, Mohammed Abbas Younis, stated that Fowler was mortified by her actions and had never been as intoxicated as she was on that day. She currently faces health issues and is unemployed, relying on universal credit and PIP payments.

Magistrates sentenced Fowler to a 12-month community order, which includes participation in an alcohol abstinence program for 90 days. She was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation to each of the four emergency workers, along with a £114 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs, totaling £599.

Steven Chan, the chair of the magistrates, addressed Fowler, stating, "You were drunk and you spat at an emergency worker. Those four people were public servants, serving the public. You have shown some remorse and feel shame and embarrassment."

The Otley Run is known as one of the country's most famous pub crawls, often featuring participants in fancy dress.