Pharmacist attacked barrister with iron bar... at hearing where he was struck off for being aggressive

Last updated at 18:05 18 June 2007


An "arrogant" foul-mouthed pharmacist who attacked a prosecutor with an iron bar after being struck off has been warned that prison is inevitable.

Samuel Ashby, 61, had been summoned to a Royal Pharmaceutical Society disciplinary hearing for behaving aggressively towards staff, insulting customers and making dispensing errors.

After hearing details of his behaviour it was decided he was no longer fit to practise.

Inner London Crown Court heard that seconds later the chemist "blew his cool", pulled out a 12-inch bolt, vaulted on to a table and launched himself at Desmond Fitzpatrick, a 47-year-old barrister who had helped bring the case against him.

He repeatedly lashed out with the potentially lethal weapon, striking his shocked victim's head and causing a five-inch long scalp wound.

A journalist who was covering the hearing managed to pull Ashby away and subdue him with the help of two Royal Pharmaceutical Society officials before police arrived.

Meanwhile others tended his blood-spattered victim, who later needed seven stitches.

Ashby, from Inglesby, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm on October 25 last year.

Remanding him in custody, Judge Quentin Campbell told the Australian-born defendant he had decided to adjourn sentence yet again because of concern over a defence psychiatrist's report.

"It is no part of this court's remit to consider whether the charges brought against you by your professional body were fair, unfair, justified, or unjustified," he said.

"It is clear from the evidence you became not only angry, but you had with you a weapon."

The judge, who said he did not accept Ashby's explanation he carried the bolt to protect him against muggers, continued: "It is also quite clear you had this weapon with you with a view to using it.

"You produced that weapon, threatening and telling the parties they were going to get what they deserved, or words to that effect. You... struck your victim's head a number of times."

The judge said despite the defendant's 11th-hour letter accepting he had behaved wrongly, "both the probation officer and your own psychiatrist said you expressed no remorse whatsoever for your actions, no sympathy or empathy for your victim whatsoever.

"I am afraid the court, having read the psychiatrist's report, considers you pose a substantial risk (to the public)."

He added: "I have no doubt whatsoever I will be imposing a sentence of imprisonment in this case. It is merely a question of whether it will be an extended one."

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