A MAN described in court as having a “short fuse” punched a doctor in his surgery because he had upset his mum.

Blackburn magistrates heard that on another occasion George Preshur assaulted a shop assistant after being told he was already barred from the store.

Preshur, 29, of Keele Walk, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Dr Rakesh Sharma on June 14 and assaulting Adam Yates at CEX on Northgate on September 26.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 25 days' rehabilitation activity days specifically looking at anger management.

County Cllr Azhar Ali, former health and wellbeing cabinet member at Lancashire County Council, slammed the decision not to jail Preshur as ‘really soft’.

“He should have received a jail sentence.

“I’m calling for zero tolerance on people who assault those who work in the NHS whether it’s a porter, nurse or doctor.

“This seems like a really soft sentence and unless tougher action is taken, other people will feel they have the green light to assault NHS workers.”

Cllr Ali called on magistrates to get tougher to end violence against NHS workers.

He added: “Assaulting doctors and NHS workers and anyone for that matter is totally unacceptable."

Preshur was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to Dr Sharma, £50 to Mr Yates, and fined £50.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said Dr Sharma was working at the Oswald Medical Centre in Blackburn and had seen the defendant’s mother.

“There was an issue over her request for a sick note and she left in a state,” said Mrs White.

“The receptionist came in to say she was still asking about the sick note,” said Mrs White.

“Seconds later the defendant barged in, and punched Dr Sharma on the left ear.”

Mrs White said the doctor felt immediate pain and had to go for hospital treatment.

Preshur went to the CEX store to sell a piece of equipment. He was already barred from the store and when a member of staff pointed this out Preshur swung a punch at his head.

The court heard Preshur had previous convictions for assault and had lost a job after he punched his supervisor.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client accepted he had a short fuse.

“In the surgery his mother was having a dispute with the doctor and he became upset. He reacted in a way he knows was wrong and all he can do is apologise.”