Man, 38, in court after doctor was slashed with knife
A MAN ‘bragged’ about being offered £3,000 to attack a doctor outside a GP surgery, during which the victim was stabbed in the face, a court heard.
Prosecutors allege that Dean Heywood, 38, assaulted the locum doctor as he left the Elms Medical Centre in Whitefield, Bury, in April last year. Mr Heywood denies being involved in the attack.
As the doctor, in his 50s, was putting his briefcase in the boot of his car, he was attacked by two men, with one wielding a knife, the jury were told.
He tried to defend himself by hit- ting the men with another briefcase.
While one man used the knife, the other allegedly held him to the ground.
The doctor was ‘slashed a number of times’ to the face, the court heard, at least four times or as many as six or seven.
One man repeatedly told the other attacker to ‘cut him,’ jurors heard.
“The objective was to disfigure, which was successful,” prosecutor Peter Cadwallader said.
He suffered serious injuries and now has scarring which is said to be ‘highly visible’ and ‘permanent.’
The men ran off and left in a silver Vauxhall Astra, later found burned out nearby. Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard that the doctor claims that his ex-wife or a member of her family was behind the attack.
Prosecutors say they have found no evidence to prove this allegation.
The doctor said that his ex-wife has previously made ‘repeated allegations’ to the police and the General Medical Council, which he said were ‘fictitious’ and ‘unsubstantiated.’
The court heard that the locum GP was leaving the surgery at about 1pm on April 27, last year, following a shift.
Mr Cadwallader, prosecuting, said that the attack was not a robbery or committed because someone held a grudge against the doctor. He said the prosecution alleges the offenders were ‘paid to carry out the attack.’
The second attacker has not been found.
Jurors heard that the doctor claims his ex-wife was behind it.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Cadwallader said: “He (the doctor) suggests his ex-wife or at least a member of her family as being behind the attack.
“It is not the case that the prosecution have any sufficient evidence other than suspicion to bring any charge against any members of that family.”
Prosecutors say that in advance of the attack, Mr Heywood had told his partner that ‘he and others were following a doctor and that they had a job to do.’
She broke up with Mr Heywood the day before the doctor was attacked, on April 27 last year.
Mr Cadwallader said that Mr Heywood was ‘buzzing’ and ‘bragging,’ and ‘indicating that he had been, or was to be, paid £3,000 for his part in the assault.’
Mr Heywood was arrested on May 8 after the woman was interviewed by police.
Mr Heywood, of Rydal Grove, Whitefield, denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.
Proceeding