Fund for suspended paramedics swells to £43,000

Tom Le Sauteur and John Sutherland remain suspended

A fund set up to help two suspended Jersey paramedics has more than doubled its original target of £20,000.

Tom Le Sauteur and John Sutherland were found guilty in June of not caring properly for a man who died after taking a drug overdose.

A crowdfunding page has reached more than £43,000.

The people behind the appeal were unhappy with the verdict and wanted to help with legal fees and other expenses.

'Dedicated' staff

Mr Sutherland and Mr Le Sauteur attended the home of Frazer Irvine, 39, after he called 999 and had a cardiac arrest due to a drug overdose.

Jersey's Royal Court heard evidence the pair had felt threatened by Mr Irvine’s behaviour and withdrew to call for police back up. Mr Irvine later died.

The prosecution said further delays to brief officers and to put on protective clothing meant that the paramedics "failed to take reasonable care" for Mr Irvine’s health and safety.

Mr Sutherland and Mr Le Sauteur remain suspended from duty.

Their supporters hoped they could appeal against their conviction.

After the verdict, the ambulance service apologised to Mr Irvine's family and said the public could expect the "highest standards" of care.

The service added it was committed to supporting its "dedicated" staff.