Prison for man who assaulted doctor

In sentencing John Anthony Madden (48) of Causeway Street, District Judge Richard Wilson said that word had to go out to others that this type of behaviour would not be tolerated.

Madden was charged with common assault and disorderly behaviour following an incident at the hospital on March 10.

Police were called to the A&E department after Madden became aggressive during a consultation with a doctor.

Madden verbally abused Dr Devlin, became physically aggressive and pushed his chest against the physician.

A solicitor said Madden had been intoxicated. She said Madden had health problems which included suicidal tendencies, and that’s why he was in the hospital on the night of the incident.

The offence put Madden in breach of a suspended sentence for a similar incident at Causeway Hospital.

Referring to a doctor’s statement to the police, District Judge, Richard Wilson, said: “You threatened to kick the Doctor’s head off, and told him that he was worse than a Judge.”

Mr Wilson added: “You knew exactly what a suspended sentence was.

“You were given one in February 2008 for the same offence, and you have breached it at the hospital again.”

Madden was sentenced to nine months in prison, which included the activation of a four-month suspended sentence.

“You brought this all on yourself, said Mr Wilson.

“You don’t know how to behave in hospital and the word has to go out that it will be not be tolerated.”