Professor spared jail over assault

A leading heart disease researcher escaped jail today after admitting he broke a hotel manager's arm in a drunken rage.

James Scott, 57, a professor of medicine at Imperial College, London, would have faced professional ruin if he had received a custodial sentence, Truro Crown Court heard.

Scott, of Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, earlier pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Robin Lawson while staying on the Isles of Scilly two days before he was due to marry there in December last year.

The court heard Scott had argued with his fiancé¥ and slapped her face. Mr Lawson was then attacked with " considerable force" as he tried to stop Scott entering a hotel room, the prosecution said. Judge Philip Wassall gave Scott a three-year community rehabilitation order and ordered him to attend anger management courses as well as continuing treatment for his alcohol problem.

The judge decided not to award compensation to Mr Lawson on the grounds that a civil action for damages was already under way.