Was It Just A Busman's Holiday?

A twisted NHS anaesthetist who injected a record shop owner with a deadly drug in a 'motiveless' attack has been jailed for 15 years. Gary Lewis, 65, collapsed to the floor in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on July 2 last year after Darren Harris, 58, plunged a a syringe loaded with a muscle-paralysing drug into his thigh.

Yes, it's this story.

Judge Simon Phillips KC described the attack by Harris, who was 'seeking to play God', as 'motiveless' and 'totally indiscriminate'.

'With that hypodermic syringe in your hand, you had the power to take a life and that is the outcome that inexplicably you wanted to achieve.'

If he’d only had a bit of patience, the NHS would have granted his wish legally, I’m sure…

Sean Smith, defending, said: 'Mr Harris, of hitherto good character, having reached the age of 57 years had contributed substantially to the hospital at which he worked. 'He has made valuable contributions to hospital care and patients over a number of years. 'This act has essentially robbed him of that good character and most importantly robbed his wife and his family of his support in the future.'

But more importantly, Sean, it very nearly robbed his victim of all those things... 

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said Harris' employment was terminated in August 2024. It said a review into the storage of medications, including controlled drugs, in cardiac theatres and general theatres was carried out in light of the incident.

And what did they find? Strangely, it's not reported. I wonder why.