A PATIENT who shouted racial abuse at a hospital doctor was given a 12-month conditional discharge by a judge yesterday.
Joseph James Holmes, 33, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at South Durham Magistrates' Court to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour which were racially aggravated, and failing to surrender to custody while on bail.
David Bryson, prosecuting, said Holmes was walking out of Darlington Memorial Hospital on April 26 when he began insulting and threatening to punch an Asian doctor.
Police were called and he was arrested, but the doctor involved did not want to make a statement to officers.
District Judge Michael Wood jailed Holmes for a month for the breach of bail, but said he had already served his time while on remand.
Holmes' time in custody also meant the amount in fines he owed the court was reduced from £650 to £405.
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