Threw a punch at doctor on duty department

Mark Pearce, (19), of Oak Grove, was given six weeks in custody for common assault at Craigavon Area Hospital on March 22 last year.

The court heard that he kicked at the doctor and threw a punch.

The victim deflected the punch and was hit on the shoulder.

Pearce had wanted to leave and took exception to the doctor saying he was not leaving until he had been treated.

A solicitor for the defendant said his action was entirely unsatisfactory and Pearce had shown genuine remorse.

She added that Pearce had gone to casualty for an overdose he had taken that day. He was highly agitated.

The solicitor said her client had been diagnosed with manic depression and continued to attend the psychiatric unit at Craigavon Hospital.

The case had been adjourned from a previous court so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

District Judge, Mr Alan White, said he would not tolerate assaults on doctors and nurses in the accident and emergency and Pearce had kicked out at the doctor and thrown a punch with a clenched fist.

He added that the only way to deal with it was by way of custody.

Later in the court Pearce was released on his own bail of 300 to appeal against the sentence.