Man’s attack on woman after missing dentist slot

PATIENT’S FOUL-MOUTHED RANT AT RECEPTIONIST OVER APPOINTMENT

A MAN has avoided jail after launching an ‘appalling’ attack on a receptionist at a dental surgery – because he missed his appointment.

Benjamin Craig Almond, 27, was five minutes late to the appointment at the surgery on Bury Road in Rochdale, when he said he was going to get a drink of water.

He returned around ten minutes later, but his dentist had already called his name and he essentially had missed his slot, Manchester Magistrates Court heard.

After asking the receptionist if he’d missed the appointment, he launched a foul-mouthed rant at the woman, calling her a ‘f**ing b***h,’ ‘f***ing s**g’ and said: “you’re f***ing ugly, you should get some f***ing plastic surgery”.

Almond, of Rochdale, then left the surgery again, only to return five minutes later with a bottle of water.

He then threw the water at the receptionist and over the reception area, then spat at her, which hit her on the shoulder.

Almond pleaded guilty to common assault on the basis that he did not intend to spit at the woman, but instead it was of a reckless nature.

He was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

Prosecuting, Gareth Hughes told the court that the offences occurred on August 19 last year.

He said: “The defendant walked up to the receptionist and started throwing water at her and over the reception area.

“The receptionist described him as being ‘furious.’”

In a victim personal statement, the receptionist explained that this was ‘unacceptable’ and a ‘complete shock at the time.’

She also described that this was in front of the waiting area where other patients were present, including two young children.

She added: “I never expected to be assaulted, I have been working in this position for 11 years and have never been assaulted before.”

In mitigation, his defence lawyer, Stephen Connor, said that his client had issues during his childhood and he was remorseful for his actions.

Addressing Almond, District Judge Bernard Begley said: “This is appalling.

“This was a woman who was just doing her job, working at the dental practice as a receptionist.

“These are serious and appalling offences.”

Almond, of Edenfield Road, was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, he was ordered to pay £150 compensation to the receptionist and pay £207 court costs.

He was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Speaking from the dock, Almond said: “I’m very, very sorry. I really am sorry.”