An 80-YEAR-OLD retired surgeon has had his case dropped after he allegedly abused NHS workers.

Peter Ashcroft, of Compton Street, Compton, near Winchester, was charged with using threatening behaviour towards a crew who had parked near his house on September 7, 2021.

He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Monday, October 24. A trial was due to start but magistrates dismissed the case as it was not in the interest of justice to proceed.

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At 7.25am on the day of the incident, two NHS workers were called to a property in Godwins Fields to attend to a pensioner.

During this visit, the two female workers said they were abused by Mr Ashcroft.

The court was waiting to receive more evidence from the ambulance service but has since decided to withdraw all charges.

He had previously pleaded not guilty on March 22 this year.

The court record stated: "It was not in the interests of justice to grant the adjournment on the following basis: the Crown were at fault in not complying with their duty of disclosure, the defence had been diligent in raising this continually as an issue including requesting a mention hearing which did not succeed in producing the disclosure requested. This case has already experienced significant delay, with the allegation over a year ago and further delay is not justified."

  • An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the case was dropped as it was not in the public interest. This was incorrect. The case was dropped because it was not in the interests of justice to proceed. We apologise for the error.