EXCLUSIVE

A drunk former soldier who throttled and racially abused a female doctor walked free from hospital.

John Scott, of Bader Crescent, Chatham, grabbed the medic by her throat because he thought she was from Vietnam.

The 62-year-old left Dr Lai Yin Eileen Cheung with bruising and redness to her neck while she treated his wife in the emergency department at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Police were called to the Gillingham hospital and removed Scott but did not arrest him.

After an investigation, he was interviewed under caution and summonsed to court.

But the case was further delayed when an administration error meant Scott was wrongly given the option of pleading guilty by letter.

Now he has appeared in court to admit racially aggravated common assault.

Magistrates heard Scott had been to a party in October with his wife when she hit her head. The couple took a taxi to the hospital and as they arrived, Scott’s wife collapsed.

As Dr Cheung went to her aid, Scott, who had drunk about seven pints, began shouting at her, demanding to know if she was from Vietnam.

Stella Williams, prosecuting, said: “She asked why would that matter?

"He grabbed her round the neck and squeezed it tightly. She was unable to move and at the same time was still trying to treat his wife.

“He shouted back that it did matter as he was in the British Army and fought in the Vietnam war and told her not to forget it.

"As he was saying all this he put more and more pressure on her neck with each word.”

It is understood the doctor is British, with Chinese heritage.

It was revealed in court Scott was in the Army from 1965 to 1968 but had only served in Northern Ireland.

In fact, the British Army did not fight in the Vietnam war.

When the Messenger called at his home, Scott said: “I am not a racist. In fact, I’m the opposite.

"I’m a Christian and I go to church. It should not have happened, I bitterly regret it and I was in an emotional state and was worried about my wife.

"I want to put it all behind me. I am very sorry, I am not a racist.”
Piers Restell, defending, said Scott has previously suffered a heart attack and should not mix alcohol with his medication.

Magistrates adjourned the case for pre-sentencing reports to be prepared ahead of a hearing on April 13.

A Medway Police spokesman said: "Following an investigation into this incident Mr Scott attended Medway police station, was interviewed under caution and was subsequently issued a summons.

"Due to an administration error between the court and police he was given the opportunity to plead by post. However, for this offence he should have appeared in person. The error has now been rectified."

A spokesman for Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, pictured right, said: "Violence or abuse against members of staff is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated."