GP’s attacker goes free as doctors refuse order

Feb 8 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A MAN who severely beat a trainee doctor in her surgery was given a two-year-supervision order yesterday.

Judge Peter Forster told mental patient Steven Nurse at Durham Crown Court he was unable to pass any other sentence after four psychiatrists refused to recommend a hospital order.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court last month found Nurse, 34, of Broomhouse Road, Prudhoe, Northumberland, not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to Dr Johannah Langmead by reason of insanity.

Dr Langmead, 23, was knocked to the ground and repeatedly punched in the face by Steven Nurse in a prolonged, unprovoked assault after he burst into her room at the West Wylam Health Centre, Prudhoe, and locked the door behind him, at 5.30pm on March 19 last year.

She said he was “sweating heavily and frothing at the mouth, showing psychotic tendencies”.

Glen Gatland, representing the prosecution yesterday, said a receptionist heard Dr Langmead scream in terror after Nurse burst into the room.

He said his punches became harder as the attack continued. Her ordeal was ended when police burst in and found her crouching under a sink.

Her injuries included a suspected fractured jaw and eye socket, two black eyes and loose teeth.

Mr Gatland said Dr Langmead had been due to go on a placement at North Tyneside Hospital but had to go off sick after suffering anxiety and flashbacks. She was off work for seven weeks and had been receiving counselling.

She is now working away from the North East.

Mr Gatland said Nurse, who has a history of mental health problems, had been playing computer war games for 20 hours a day before the attack.

Judge Forster told Nurse: “Unfortunately the hand of mental illness falls on many families in our region. You have suffered from mental illness for many years, and on March 19 last year your actions were driven by your illness.

“You were suffering from a delusional condition when you tried to kill Dr Langmead, who was only trying to help you.

“I hope she has the strength to put these matters behind her.”

Ordering him to be supervised for two years by Northumberland County Council’s Tynedale District Social Work Team – the maximum duration he could pass – the judge said: “I hope the monitoring will continue after the two-year period has elapsed.

“No one is able to say there will be no risk in the future, but in the absence of medical evidence I am unable to make a hospital order.”