Patient's rampage after missed appointment

Man smashes mirror with hammer when told he can't see doctor immediately

WAITING to see the doctor is always frustrating – but not everyone reacts by taking a hammer to the surgery mirror.

However that’s exactly what one disgruntled patient did.

The drama happened at Northcroft Surgery in Newbury and in the dock at West Berkshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, February 18, was 51-year-old Michael Andrew Miles.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, said: “Mr Miles turned up at the surgery around 8am and asked to see a doctor.

“He was told none were immediately available and an appointment was made for him at 9am.

“However, he didn’t return until just before midday and was told he’d missed his appointment.

“Mr Miles then became demanding, raising his voice, but was told no one was available.”

She added: “The receptionist assumed he’d left when she heard a loud noise from the nurse’s office.

“The defendant had smashed a mirror with a hammer before walking away.

“He later admitted what he’d done to police and said he had been drinking.”

Mr Miles, of no fixed address, admitted causing criminal damage worth £150 on November 26 last year.

He also has previous convictions and his admission placed him in breach of a conditional discharge imposed for a prior offence of theft.

Mike Davis, defending, said his client was homeless and had been sleeping rough in Newbury in a tent.

He added: “His life has spiralled downwards.

“His tent was cleared from one site by a county court injunction and he has just been moved on again from a new site.

“His physical and mental health are both deteriorating.

“He smashed the mirror in a moment of frustration.”

Magistrates allowed the conditional discharge to run its course.

However, they ordered Mr Miles to pay the surgery £150 in compensation.

The court heard that the sum will be added to the sum of more than £2,000 which Mr Miles is already paying in court fines via deductions from his benefits.