A DOCTOR allegedly assaulted a patient as she tried to leave his consulting room.

Magistrates heard Dr Abiodun Bale also ‘flipped’ at another patient a week earlier shouting at her: “For God’s sake, I have other people to see besides you.”

Nigerian-born Bale pleaded not guilty to assaulting Sheena Cunningham by beating and common assault on Maria Hindle which did not involve physical contact.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said both alleged assaults took place at the Acorn Medical Centre on Blackburn Road, Accrington.

Mrs Cunningham had been registered as a patient at the centre for many years and on March 25 attended an appointment because of a problem with her face.

Because it wasn’t any better the following day, she called the surgery and spoke to Dr Bale, of The Fairway, New Moston, Manchester, who said she should come in and see him.

Mr Harrison said: “During the consultation she expressed her concerns about her condition and he said she should contact the out-of-hours service if the condition deteriorated.

“She didn’t want to do this and at this point he raised his voice.”

Mrs Cunningham was frightened, said she would see another doctor and went towards the door, the court heard.

Mr Harrison said: “At this point he became agitated and as she stepped out, he grabbed her hand to prevent her closing the door.

“He then grabbed her by the forearm with both hands and tried to drag her back into the room.”

He said Bale shouted: “Stop, I’m trying to help you.”

Mr Harrison said: “She screamed and shouted at him to get off her arm.

“This attracted the attention of another doctor and two cleaners. The other doctor told Bale to go back into his office and then escorted Mrs Cunningham out of the surgery.”

Mr Harrison said the previous week Julie Hindle attended for an appointment. Bale examined her stomach but when she mentioned a problem with her hand he said he didn’t want to deal with that because she was already seeing a specialist.

He said: “She says he became sharp and dismissive and then flipped.

“He stood up, raised his hands over his head and towered over her before making the comment about having other people to see. She got up to leave and he tried to grab her hand. She felt frightened and vulnerable.”

The court heard yesterday ((TUES)) how Bale became a gynaecologist after studying in his native Nigeria.

He began his GP training at Royal Blackburn Hospital in March 2010 and completed it in March 2013, after which he joined the Accrington practice.

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