A NINEWELLS HOSPITAL consultant has suggested a Dundee sheriff’s leniency in the case of a man who assaulted a doctor is sending out the wrong message to the public.

Dr Barry Klaassen was critical of Sheriff Richard Davidson’s approach when dealing with the case of the 53-year-old man on Thursday.

Recalling the publicity surrounding Whitfield GP Mani Raj—who is retiring after an alleged assault and years of abuse from local youths—Dr Klaassen said the support of the law was vital to prevent antisocial behaviour threatening medical services.

A & E consultant Dr Klaassen spoke out after Sheriff Davidson deferred sentence on the man to allow him to demonstrate he could be of good behaviour.

He had admitted breaching the peace by shouting and swearing at staff on August 23 and assaulting Dr Brodie Paterson by punching him on the hand.

On hearing the culprit’s apparent drunkenness was in fact due to his medical condition rather than alcohol Sheriff Davidson said he would deviate from the hard line he usually takes with people who commit such offences in hospitals and would not send him to jail.

The sheriff said, “It would appear to me that the medical staff and the police were being a little bit precious in bringing this case,”— remarks that Dr Klaassen said he found disappointing.

Referring to the man’s conduct that day, he asked, “Does Sheriff Davidson think this behaviour acceptable, perhaps only taking it more seriously had some physical injury befallen the doctor in question?

“Such behaviour wholly unacceptable in a hospital or indeed anywhere.

“By appearing to tolerate such behaviour the judiciary sets a poor precedent.

“Professional people going about their business should be able to do so free from verbal or physical abuse,” Dr Klaassen added.

“Some professions face this potential on a day-to-day basis and when it occurs they should have the full support of the law.

“Without such support the situation will undoubtedly worsen and we will, as a society, experience more situations like the crisis facing Whitfield GP surgery, where antisocial behaviour threatens a service for a whole community.”