Man jailed for assault on NHS worker

Offender arrived at A&E claiming to have taken an overdose, say police

Daniel Shevlin has been jailed for two years for the assault (PA)

A man has been jailed for two years for fracturing the cheekbone of a hospital worker.

Daniel Shevlin, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to section 20 assault and a public order offence after assaulting the NHS worker at Salford Royal Infirmary on 29 March, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

A police spokesperson said Shevlin, who was sentenced over videolink at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, arrived at the accident and emergency department claiming to have taken a drugs overdose.

He punched the staff member, a man in his 50s, in the waiting area after becoming agitated that there was no juice available, and then shouted abuse at another NHS worker who challenged him.

Detective Inspector Thomas Willis, of GMP, said: “This was an abhorrent and shocking assault that has absolutely no place in our society – especially at a time when we have a collective duty to protect our essential NHS workers.”

He added: “While today’s verdict makes it abundantly clear that an assault on any person is unacceptable, I hope that the scant minority who think they can show such gross disrespect and attack those on the front line of our emergency services recognise justice will be served.

“As Shevlin spends his time behind bars reflecting on his actions, the victim has already returned to the front line to help save lives, which is testament to the incredible work that is being done by our emergency workers at this difficult time.”

Press Association