The crew had been called to assist the attackers' friend

Paul Thomson, 18, and Stuart Dick, 21, had been warned that they faced jail for the attack on Stephen Rutherford and Scott McLeod in Glasgow.

However, a sheriff gave them community service and probation after she accepted that they had shown remorse.

Ambulance chiefs were disappointed at the leniency of the sentence.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how Mr Rutherford and Mr McLeod had been called to help the pair's friend after receiving a report of a collapse case in a house in Thornliebank in June.

When they arrived at 2300 BST, they found the two accused and another man dragging the unconscious man along the street.

We are pleased that on this occasion the two individuals who assaulted the paramedics have been brought to justice Ambulance service spokesman

Thomson, of Invergarry Quadrant, Thornliebank, interfered as Mr Rutherford tried to check on the man and persisted in trying to get him into the ambulance despite being told to stop.

When Mr Rutherford moved to the front of the ambulance, he was attacked.

Prosecutor John Penman said: "He was punched and kicked on the body and Thomson removed a belt and struck him repeatedly.

"Both accused were involved causing the paramedic to fall to the ground."

Mr McLeod tried to stop the attack but he was also set upon.

Mr Penman said: ""He was also punched and kicked. At one point, Dick took hold of Mr McLeod's torch and hit him on the body."

The ambulance workers managed to escape and needed hospital treatment.

'Very confused'

Mr Rutherford suffered a 4cm cut above his eye and bruising to his body and Mr McLeod was treated for bruising to his upper arms.

After they pleaded guilty to the attacks in court last month, Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill said they faced the prospect of custodial sentences.

However, in court on Tuesday, the sheriff decided there was "a compelling case" not to jail them.

They were each given 220 hours' community service and placed on probation for two years.

Thomson's lawyer Des Finnieston said: "At the time, he was in a very confused position as regards to what was happening with his friend.

"He had taken steps to curb his drinking and I would ask that a last chance be afforded to him."

The pair admitted the assault when they appeared in court

Martin Lavery, defending Dick, of Grange Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, said: "His family moved away from the area shortly after this to ensure he would never get involved in such again.

"He is normally an extremely dedicated individual, but, on this occasion, he went off the rails."

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service expressed disappointment at the sentence.

However, he said: "We are pleased that on this occasion the two individuals who assaulted the paramedics have been brought to justice.

"Any assault of any kind on a paramedic is deplorable in our view."

The two were charged prior to the introduction of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act which was introduced in an effort to get tough on those who attack police, fire and health workers.