A WINSFORD man has been jailed for attacking a doctor at Leighton Hospital's casualty department after taking a cocktail of illegal drugs. Wayne David Murphy, 32, from Bradbury Road, appeared before Chester Crown Court this week to be sentenced after causing actual bodily harm. Prosecuting, Marc LeBrocq, told the court Murphy had been taken to the A&E department at 8am on June 17, 2004. It was believed that he had taken cocaine, Temazepam and alcohol and was passed out in a cubicle when he was seen by a Dr Williams. When the doctor attempted to wake him he was subjected to verbal abuse and so decided to leave him to sleep. But a while later Dr Williams noticed Murphy being escorted out by a member of staff and attempted to help. Mr LeBrocq said that during the confrontation Murphy headbutted Dr Williams, stunning him. He then grabbed him by the tie and pulled it tight until he found it difficult to breathe. Mr LeBrocq said: 'Fortunately he let go, but then put his hands around his throat. 'Five or six members of staff were needed to restrain him and wrestle him to the floor. He continued to struggle and Dr Williams felt compelled to punch him once to the face to quieten him down.' Murphy remembered very little about the incident, but had earlier said in A&E that he was 'coked up'. He was bailed by the police last July, but disappeared until he gave himself up in April. Defending, Andrew Hunter, said that the cocktail of drugs Murphy had taken may have caused the violence he'd displayed. He said: 'His recklessness in taking these drugs was compounded by the facts that he had had previous difficulties with them. He was taking a dangerous risk by consuming these illegal substances.' Mr Hunter admitted it was a 'disgraceful incident'. He said: 'He is as outraged by his behaviour, as right-thinking members of society should be. Judge Roger Dutton said: 'Not for the first time you took a combination of drink and dangerous illegal drugs. Not for the first time the consequences of that was wholly unreasonable and violent behaviour. 'Dr Williams was attempting to treat you at Leighton Hospital and all he got for trying to assist you were head butts. He has a right to expect that, as a member of the public services, if he is attacked or hurt the courts will support him.' He sentenced Murphy to eight months in prison. | 
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