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Two paramedics who were convicted of failing to provide reasonable care to a patient who died have resigned from Jersey's Ambulance Service – and have thanked the public for their "kindness and understanding".
Tom Le Sauteur and John Sutherland decided to resign from the service after losing an appeal against a conviction and conditional discharge handed down last summer following the death of 39-year-old Frazer Irvine in March 2022.
Sutherland was a former acting chief ambulance officer who served for 37 years, while Le Sauteur joined the service after leaving the Armed Forces to continue his family’s longstanding connection with the profession.
Pictured: Paramedics John Sutherland and Tom Le Sauteur coming out into the Royal Square after losing their appeal in October. (Jon Guegan)
A statement provided by the Justice and Home Affairs Department 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 statement added: “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.”
In his own statement, Le Sauteur thanked the public for their support throughout what he described as a challenging time.
Ambulance and emergency services workers rallied around their colleagues through peaceful protests and gatherings during the initial trial and the appeal.
The pair also received a notable amount of public support, with a crowdfunding campaign launched to help the pair pay their legal fees raising almost £50,000.
Pictured: Emergency service and healthcare workers gathered to show solidarity with the two paramedics, with attendees holding signs saying 'protect our emergency services'.
Le Sauteur said: "I wanted to take the opportunity to thank the people of Jersey for all the support they have shown us this past year. The positive influence of this cannot be overstated.
"Before the trial, I had many fears but essentially they came down to three things. Fear of letting down my teammates, fear of letting down my community and fear that either of these would not be able to see the true motivations of why we were being prosecuted.
"[But] I want people to know that [the trail] has given me a totally new appreciation of human nature and that this is overwhelmingly positive.
"When I needed the kindness and understanding of strangers it was given in spades. This small community demonstrated that compassion and common sense are not scarce. It is in staggering abundance in nearly all people. People have been amazingly kind.
"The practical help has facilitated us to still have a voice and the general support has allowed us to continue with our lives in the knowledge that we are welcomed and appreciated in this place that we and our families call home.
"I would also like to mention that our fellow operational staff have been incredible and stood shoulder to shoulder with us throughout."
Looking ahead, Le Sauteur said: “I do not know what the future holds at this point, but my family and I are facing it full of hope.
"That is down to you, and it is a debt I do not think I will ever be able to fully repay."
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