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Man punched doctor in face
A man, who had tried to commit suicide, lashed out at a doctor after he was asked to leave Scarborough Hospital, a court heard.
Paul Wilson, 49, of Fountayne Road, Hunmanby admitted threatening behaviour but was not accused of assault as the victim, Dr Arigios Toukalis, did not wish to press charges.
Scarborough Magistrates’ Court heard Wilson punched Dr Toukalis in the face as he walked by at about 2.30pm on January 3, causing him to collapse.
Michael Blackwood, prosecuting, said Dr Toukalis had suffered from dizziness and felt unable to walk into the town centre on his own since the incident.
Richard North, in mitigation, said Wilson was “deeply ashamed” about his behaviour and had written to the doctor to apologise.
Wilson, who suffers from a number of health problems and has to use a walking stick, was admitted to the hospital following an overdose on New Year’s Day.
Mr North said: “This was not a normal cry for attention. It was a serious suicide attempt.”
In a statement, Wilson said he had woken up disorientated in hospital and was seen by a doctor who said he thought it would be beneficial for him to spend another 24 hours on the ward.
However, within a few minutes, he was informed he was being discharged and the police had to be called as staff believed Wilson was being aggressive.
He claimed police had made him walk out of the hospital rather than allow him to use a wheelchair, adding: “They said ‘hurry up – you’ve wasted enough of our valuable time’.”
The court heard Wilson, who is a full-time carer for his wife, was confused about who had discharged him and “lashed out without thinking” when he saw Dr Toukalis.
Wilson said: “I seem to remember him saying ‘go’ but I wasn’t very well at that stage and didn’t feel mentally or physically well enough to go home. I simply snapped.”
Sentencing Wilson to a 12-month community order, with 120 hours unpaid work, magistrates said: “Assaults on hospital staff are not acceptable and something you could easily have gone into custody today for.
“But we have taken into account your medical circumstances and the fact that you are a full-time carer for your wife.”
Wilson must also pay 250 compensation to the victim and 43 costs.
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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