Man admits attacking doctor

A Shropshire man who admitted attacking his GP has been ordered to pay him £200 compensation.

David Harte, 26, of Caradoc View, Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, assaulted Julian Stringer at the Riverside Medical Practice in Shrewsbury after he was refused extra medication.

Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday that Harte, who suffers from anxiety and stress, had called at the surgery asking for drugs to help him sleep.

When Dr Stringer refused, the 26-year-old grabbed a chair and hit him on the hand and kicked his leg.

The GP, who refused Harte the medication because he had written him a prescription only six days before, said he had had no previous problems with the patient and hoped it was a one-off incident.

The court heard that Harte, who admitted the offence, was upset at the time and was sorry for what had happened.

He was given a conditional discharge.