Ambo assault accused claims self-defence

A Brisbane woman accused of kicking and punching a paramedic in an incident that's angered his colleagues claims she was the one who was attacked.

The alleged incident has sparked renewed calls for violent attacks on paramedics to stop and comes amid a government education campaign aimed at reducing them.

Police allege Tiarnie Arthurson, 34, assaulted the veteran paramedic in an ambulance early on Monday morning as she was being transported to hospital with an ankle injury.

However, Arthurson disputes the assault and says the 51-year-old paramedic attacked her by grabbing her around the throat.

She was granted bail when she faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with seriously assaulting a public officer, which carries a maximum 14 years' jail time.

Police prosecutor Tara Pease said the paramedic was initially driving the ambulance but got in the back after Arthurson got into a struggle with a female paramedic giving her pain relief.

Sgt Pease said Arthurson became physically violent when the male paramedic tried to stop her from masturbating.

Police allege she attempted to spit on the veteran ambulance officer and, as he tried to restrain her, kicked him twice in the genitals and punched him in the head.

But Legal Aid lawyer Nick Hanley said his client, who was hit by a car after drinking at the Kenmore Tavern, denied masturbating and the assault.

"She says that she was attacked by the ambulance officer, she says that he put his hands around her throat and strangled her and she denies kicking him in the groin," he told the court.

"She does have on her neck four obvious bruises on the left hand side ... and she says she intends on making a complaint against the Queensland Ambulance Service."

Magistrate Jason Schubert said the charge was serious but granted Arthurson bail, saying any risk to the safety of the paramedic or others could be mitigated through bail conditions.

The alleged attack prompted West Moreton chief superintendent Drew Hebbron to call for a stop to violent assaults.

Mr Hebbron said there had been nearly 150 cases of physical assault against paramedics from July 2015 to the end of January this year.

"I'm angry that our officers continue to be assaulted when they're trying to do their job," he said.

"If alcohol is the problem then we need to limit alcohol consumption in the general community.

"If the issue is drugs then these people need to seek assistance from their family and friends to help with their addiction."