Ambulance workers quit after losing neglect case

John Sutherland, 62, and technician Tom Le Sauteur, 36, have left the ambulance service

A paramedic and senior technician who were found guilty of not caring properly for a man who died after taking drugs have resigned.

John Sutherland, 62, and technician Tom Le Sauteur, 36, were found guilty in June 2024 of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of Frazer Irvine, 39, who had a heart attack following a drugs overdose on 18 March 2022. An appeals court upheld the verdict in October 2024.

The two men were sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £500 in costs.

A statement from Mr Le Sauteur confirmed the pair had decided to leave the service after "considerable thought".

Frazer Irvine, 39, died following a drugs overdose on 18 March 2022

At their trial, it was ruled the two ambulance workers had waited too long to treat Mr Irvine or not acted quickly enough when they thought he might have been having a heart attack at his home in Trinity.

During the hearing at Jersey's Court of Appeal, Judge Sir Adrian Fulford said the court had no hesitation in upholding the verdict and police camera footage showed that it had been an "overwhelming" case by the prosecution.

Speaking after the appeal, both men made calls for the government to provide more support for staff.

'Address any concerns'

The government, the Ambulance Service and Unite the Union said the pair would not be returning to the service and thanked them for their work.

A joint statement said: "The Government of Jersey, the Ambulance Service staff and Unite the Union wish John and Tom all the very best in their future endeavours, recognising and supporting their decision not to return to the service.

"The Ambulance Service senior leadership team and Unite the Union will continue to work closely and proactively together to address any concerns raised by colleagues and the Unite membership."