Sheffield patient ordered to pay £1,500 compensation after smashing doors at GP practice

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard today, September 16, how Nicholas Hickey, aged 29, of Plantin Rise, Halfway, Sheffield, had repeatedly been asking the Mulberry Practice, on Mulberry Street, in Sheffield city centre, for a referral to the specialist Michael Carlisle Centre, at Nether Edge, before he returned and smashed the doors on August 7 and August 13.

Paul Canfield, prosecuting, said Hickey attended the Mulberry Practice on August 7 asking to see a doctor and although he had a phone appointment booked it was not a meeting appointment and he was asked to leave.

Mr Canfield said: “He was advised to go away and he said, ‘you best watch your windows’.”

During the afternoon of August 7 Hickey returned to the practice and threw a breeze block at the double-glass doors causing the glass to shatter, according to Mr Canfield.

Following phone calls, Hickey returned again on August 13 and was seen outside in a car before he ran towards the practice and threw something causing a door to fracture.

Hickey, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing criminal damage.

Michael Jones, defending, said Hickey had been diagnosed with autism and ADHD and claimed he had been asking his GP over five weeks to refer him to the Michael Carlisle Centre because he had been struggling to concentrate on his studies.

Mr Jones said the pent-up frustration combined with his diagnosis led him to go to the practice and cause the damage.

Hickey was subsequently removed from the Mulberry Practice’s patient list and he was sent a letter and put on the violent patient service list and this triggered the second offence, according to Mr Jones.

Mr Jones said: “He said he feels sick having done what he has done and he accepts responsibility for it.”

Magistrates sentenced Hickey to a 12-month conditional discharge but warned if he commits another crime he will be re-sentenced for the damage offences along with any new matter.

Hickey, who is a cleaner, was also ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation.