A FORMER NHS worker wielded fire extinguishers during an attack on a senior official of a North Yorkshire primary care trust (PCT), a court heard yesterday.

Harrogate magistrates were told how Kevin Millar, head of learning disabilities at Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT, intervened when Ian Currie threatened reception staff at its headquarters at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate.

Michael Hammond, prosecuting, said Mr Millar managed to wrestle one fire extinguisher away from 62-year-old Currie, who then grabbed another from a wall. In the struggle, Mr Millar received a number of scratches to his hands.

Currie, of Rossett Crescent, Harrogate, pleaded guilty to assault on Mr Millar and resisting arrest.

Mr Hammond said he had gone to the trust's offices for help, but turned aggressive and violent, shouting at receptionists and asking to see the senior member of staff on duty "now, now, now".

Mr Hammond said Currie, who had convictions for violence which had led to a prison sentence, had terrified staff.

He had told them: "I am a dangerous man, I have slashed people before."

Fazal Karim, in mitigation, said Currie had a depressive psychiatric disorder, but since 2000 had been passed from one doctor to another.

He said: "He went to the offices upset because he had not been able to get proper, professional medical help and, unfortunately, an incident took place."

Currie had felt frustrated and let down by everybody, said Mr Karim.

"He was agitated and upset that he was not getting any help," he added.

Currie was conditionally discharged for two years and when ordered to pay costs of £30 and compensation of a similar amount to Mr Millar, told the court he was living on a small pension earned from the NHS before his illness and could not pay.

He said: "I shall go out and offend again and get sent to prison."