Man Who Was Told No GP Appointments Turned Up An Seriously Assaulted Doctor And Three Staff

Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Thursday, 23rd May 2024, at 15:50hrs

A man who went berserk at a GP surgery in Greater Manchester after being told earlier in the day no appointments were available has been jailed after launching a vicious attack on staff, causing them serious head injuries.

Greater Manchester Police released details after sentencing, in which they said, 

“Olumuiwa Oduntan (12/08/1962) of Herne Street, Openshaw was today (Thursday 23 May 2024) sentenced to six-and-a-half years at Minshull Street Crown Court, after pleading guilty to four assaults, including grievous and actual bodily harm as well as an affray.

This was after he was found not guilty from a five-day trial of three Section 18 assaults back in March 2024. He will still be issued with a restraining order.

The court heard how at around 11am on Friday 17 September 2021, Oduntan telephoned his GP surgery on Ashton Old Road, Manchester to book an appointment. He became aggressive and threatening when he was told that there weren’t any appointments available that day.

A couple of hours later, he attended the surgery and became aggressive and violent towards the staff at the front desk, who had a protective screen in front of them. Oduntan smashed the screen with a barrier pole before climbing onto the desk and entering the reception area.

The surgery’s doctor, and three female staff members, made attempts to detain Oduntan but all sustained significant head injuries from the barrier pole he used. A third member of staff was strangled by the defendant.

Our officers attended and Oduntan was taken into custody, where he was questioned and later charged and remanded.

DC Philippa Barker from our North Manchester CID said: “We are pleased with today’s result and hope it gives the victims, who each sustained serious injuries through unprovoked violence some peace and enables them to heal from this horrific experience.

“Violence in any form is not tolerated by GMP and we ensure that every case reported to us is thoroughly investigated. In this case, we are grateful to the victims and their willingness to support the prosecution through to trial and subsequent conviction and sentence.”