A SURGEON went berserk, kicking and biting, after his wife called emergency services because she thought he had taken an overdose, a court heard yesterday.

John Buxton climbed to the top of a 20ft stack of hay bales in a barn next to his home and said he had taken sleeping pills.

After his wife called the police, they arrived to find he had fallen asleep, magistrates in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, were told.

But when PC Peter Chidgey roused him, he was told: "Get off my property. Why aren't you out catching criminals?"

Michael Hammond, prosecuting, described how Buxton, 46, climbed on to a beam, from where he continued abusing police, paramedics and firefighters.

Fearing the worst, firefighter Craig Noble climbed up and grabbed Buxton by his belt, and was met with a violent outburst.

The consultant surgeon, who worked in Leeds for ten years, lashed out, kicking the firefighter, and screaming: "You are hurting my finger - I am a surgeon."

As he was being arrested, Buxton attempted to bite a policeman and to head-butt the wing mirrors of a van at Swindon Lane, Kirkby Overblow, near Harrogate.

Once inside the police van, he thrashed about so violently that the vehicle rocked from side to side.

Buxton, of Grassgarth Farm, Askwith, near Otley, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to assault and resisting police. Two further charges of resisting arrest were dropped.

He was fined £900 and told to pay £80 costs. The court also ordered him to pay Mr Noble £100 compensation.

In mitigation, Clive Farndon said the Buxtons' marriage had been in difficulties for some time, causing him stress. There had been an argument and Buxton decided to leave the house.

However, because he had been drinking and could not drive, he went into the barn. By the time the police arrived, he had been asleep and woke disorientated.

Buxton accepted his reaction was entirely inappropriate, said Mr Farndon

"He bitterly regrets his actions and extends his apologies to all concerned because he, more than anyone, appreciates the emergency services have a job to do.

"It was an isolated incident in an exemplary career," said Mr Farndon.

"No doubt there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of patients who owe an enormous debt to him for his skill, expertise, help and advice over the years."