Christopher Bullough punched paramedic Mark Parker in the face and attacked technician Simon Cox when he came to his colleague's aid.

The 21-year-old baker, who lives in Castle Hill Road, Hindley, admitted two charges of assault when he appeared at Wigan Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor John Hibbert said the two ambulancemen were called to Chapel Green Lane in Hindley by police early on October 20 after reports that a man had been assaulted.

Bullough, who works at British Bakeries in Cale Lane, New Springs, had suffered injuries to his face and hand and had a cut above his eye.

As he was being driven to hospital in the ambulance Bullough produced a cigarette lighter.

Mr Hibbert said: "This was a potentially dangerous situation as the ambulance carries oxygen cylinders."

Mr Parker told the defendant he could not use the lighter in the back of the ambulance.

Mr Hibbert said: "He became aggressive to Mr Parker and threw the lighter at him."

The paramedic caught the lighter and Bullough sprang to his feet and punched Mr Parker in the face a number of times, striking him on his cheekbone.

Ambulance technician Mr Cox stopped the vehicle and ran to the back of the ambulance to help his colleague.

Mr Hibbert said: "A brawl took place in the back of the ambulance. The defendant was kicking out at the two men and both men were struck by blows."

Mr Parker suffered reddening to his cheekbone and Mr Cox suffered bruising to his shins.

Police were called and Bullough was arrested.

Martin Jones, defending, said Bullough was a man of previous good character.

He had been drinking with his friends in the Lord Nelson in Hindley in the hours before the incident, but had left his friends and headed home alone at 10.30pm.

Mr Smith said Bullough, who lives with his mother and stepfather, could not recollect the events of the night and his mother believed his drink had been spiked.

Mr Jones said: "He is not a fighter and has never brought trouble to his mother's door. She is at a loss to understand why this happened and wonders whether one of his friends put something in his drink. This incident was totally and utterly out of character.

"He has been shocked to the core by this and has not touched a drop of alcohol since. He is ashamed of what he did."

The court was told that Bullough's brother was a Church of England priest. Magistrates were handed character references from his employers, friends and family. Bullough had written two letters of apology which he wanted to be passed on to his victims.

Chairman of the magistrates' bench, Peter Tighe, told Bullough the assaults had been a "despicable act".

He was only spared jail because he was of his previous good character. He was sentenced to 280 hours' unpaid work and was ordered to pay Mr Parker £200 compensation and Mr Cox £150 compensation. He must also pay £60 court costs.

After the case Delwyn Wray, North West Ambulance Service area director for Greater Manchester, said: "Our paramedics and technicians save lives on a daily basis and it is saddening that selfish individuals are subjecting them to violence and abuse."