EditorWales Ambulance Service warns of rising assaults as volunteer relives sexual attack by patient
Emily Hilton, a 24‑year‑old Community First Responder, was grabbed and forcibly pulled in for a kiss while attending a 999 call on a busy Cardiff road. She says the attack “completely knocked” her confidence and almost made her quit volunteering altogether.
Although the incident happened in Cardiff, the Welsh Ambulance Service says assaults like this are happening across Wales, including in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire — and are becoming a growing threat to frontline staff and volunteers.
‘I thought he had a knife’
Emily was the first to arrive after multiple calls reporting a man had fallen from his wheelchair. As she tried to assess him, he became verbally abusive, threatened to “knock her lights out”, then grabbed her by the neck and tried to kiss her.
Emily said:
“It completely knocked my confidence. In my three years of volunteering, no-one’s ever done anything like that to me before.”
She said the moment he grabbed her was terrifying.
She added:
“He pulled me in, forehead‑to‑forehead. He had a vape in his hand and for a split second I thought it was a knife. It all happened so quickly.”
The ambulance crew arrived moments later and police were called.
Attacker convicted — but concerns remain
Craig Burgess, 48, from Cardiff, was arrested and charged with sexual assault. He was found guilty in May 2025 and sentenced last week to a community order, a fine, compensation and five years on the sex offenders register.
The Welsh Ambulance Service says the case highlights the risks faced by emergency workers and volunteers across Wales — including Community First Responders who operate in communities throughout Swansea Bay.
‘She stepped forward to help — and was assaulted’
Emma Wood, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said:
“Any assault on an emergency worker is unacceptable, but what makes Emily’s experience particularly shocking is that she was volunteering her time, unpaid, to support her community.”
She said the Trust would always seek prosecution for those who harm staff or volunteers.
PC James Paget, South Wales Police, said:
“The psychological and physical effects of an assault of this nature can be long‑lasting. No‑one should have to go to work fearing they will be treated in this way.”
Wales‑wide campaign urges respect for emergency workers
The incident comes as the Joint Emergency Services Group continues its With Us, Not Against Us campaign, launched to tackle rising violence against emergency workers in Wales.
Community First Responders — including dozens who volunteer across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Llanelli, Ammanford and rural Carmarthenshire — are often the first on scene at 999 calls and face the same risks as paid staff.
Emily says she returned to volunteering thanks to strong support from colleagues, but remains more cautious on calls.
She said:
“I did come back, but I’m definitely more mindful now about the risks.”
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