Firefighter secures payout
Added (2009-Feb-11)
A firefighter has been awarded compensation after being attacked by a gang of youths.
Peter Woodhead was attending a blaze at a house in Stockton in May last year when the incident occurred.
The 41-year-old and his colleagues had some of their equipment stolen by a gang of youths, local paper the Evening Gazette reports.
When they attempted to retrieve the items they were set upon by the gang, some of whom were using fence posts as weapons.
Mr Woodhead suffered a broken elbow in the attack.
He said: "I've never seen anything like it in my 15 years as a firefighter.
"It is disheartening to know that people in the very community you are trying to help are willing to steal our equipment and attack us."
Recently, he was awarded a payout by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Association.
Part of the Ministry of Justice, the association is the government body responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in England, Scotland and Wales.
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