Man is charged with assaulting doctor at Bury St Edmunds GP surgery

A Bury St Edmunds man has been charged with assaulting a doctor at a GP surgery.

Steven Lee Cook, 41, of Devon Close, appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with assaulting Dr Victoria Hunter occasioning her actual bodily harm.

He indicated a guilty plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on a date and time to be fixed.

Police including armed units and a police helicopter were called to Victoria Surgery, in Victoria Street, Bury St Edmunds, at 10.20am on Monday.

A statement from the GP partners at Victoria Surgery said: "The NHS has a zero tolerance policy towards patients who assault staff.

"At this difficult time our first and foremost thoughts go out to our colleague and her family.

"She is a highly valued member of staff."

They said 'an assault on any staff member causes a significant disruption' and they are doing their 'best to minimise this impact'.