A family doctor subjected to death threats after a patient died was the victim of mistaken identity, a court heard.
Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that GP Dr Graeme Eales ‘categorically’ stated he had no recent contact with the father of Theresa Docherty, despite being accused by her of being responsible for his death in 2012.
The revelation came at the sentencing of Docherty, 41, on Friday, who pleaded guilty to harassment by sending threatening letters to him at Newsome Surgery, where he worked before retiring.
She was sentenced to a high level community order of 18 months with drug rehabilitation requirement and was given a restraining order against Dr Eales. She was also banned from contacting the surgery unless in response to correspondence concerning her father.
At the hearing, prosecutor Alex Bozman read a report by Dr Eales, who received several letters from Docherty in which she said she aimed to track him down and “end his life” if he did not respond to her letters.
Mr Bozman said: “Dr Eales suffered considerable anxiety due to the letters which left him unable to properly function day to day and left him concerned about the safety of himself and his family.
“Theresa called a doctor from the surgery to attend her father’s home a few days before he died due to concerns following the amputation of his leg due to gangrene.
“Dr Eales has said categorically that he has never visited her father at home and had last seen him as a patient in 2011.
“He said that the descriptions Theresa gave to the police, who initially spoke to her to advise her not to send any further letters, did not match that of himself so he wanted a restraining order to ensure she could no longer contact him.”
Mr Ian Whiteley, mitigating, described the case as “very sad” and added: “She is still deeply upset about what happened to her dad but unfortunately she went about trying to express herself in the wrong way.
“She should have made an official complaint regarding her father through the proper channels instead of sending inappropriate letters.
“She has mental health issues and she doesn’t want any contact with Dr Eales.
“Since the letters were sent she has been contacted by the surgery regarding the possibility of a meeting to discuss her complaint.”
Sentencing, chairman of the bench Katherine Beney said: “We are quite concerned because looking at your demeanour in court today, it still seems that you think Dr Eales is responsible so we have no choice but to impose a restraining order.
“I hope that you get psychiatric help so that you can come to terms with this.”
She will also pay a £60 surcharge and will appear in court for a review hearing on September 25.
