Matlock: Doctor saved life of teenager stabbed in neck at bar

Dr David Scrafton saw the incident come in while at home and reached the scene within five minutes

A doctor saved the life of a teenage boy who was stabbed in the neck at a bar in Derbyshire, a court heard.

James Hill, 29, stabbed 17-year-old Thomas Hague, who was working at the Rubigo bar in Matlock on 12 August.

A judge said the victim - who was treated by Dr David Scrafton - was lucky to be alive.

Hill, who spat blood at officers after being arrested following a stand-off at his house, was jailed for 16 years at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday.

The stabbing happened in the doorway of the Rubigo bar in Matlock in August 2022

Sarah Slater, prosecuting, said Hill and his girlfriend went to the bar at about 19:25 BST but later began arguing and a drink was thrown.

CCTV played in court showed Hill pulling his partner away from the altercation, but a scuffle is seen to break out at the doorway of the bar at about 20:30.

The footage shows Hill, armed with a "red lock knife", swing around the door with the weapon, which struck the victim.

Ms Slater said the victim initially thought he had been "tapped or slapped", but began bleeding immediately and later recalled he was struggling for breath.

Windpipe severed

The court heard the victim lost a litre of blood but was saved by Dr Scrafton, who was on call in the area through the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS) - a volunteer group of medics who attend serious incidents, usually from home.

Dr Scrafton will receive £500 and an award from the High Sheriff.

The court was told the emergency medicine consultant, who works at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, treated Mr Hague for a severed windpipe and implemented a breathing tube.

The doctor had to administer anaesthetic to the injured teenager before he was taken to hospital where he spent six days in intensive care.

"It was clear he needed a lot of oxygen and without the anaesthetic he would unlikely reach hospital," he told the BBC.

"With help from air ambulance, we successfully put a breathing tube down before another doctor colleague administered blood.

"Without these actions, he wouldn't have survived."

Dr Scrafton said he was "absolutely honoured" to be recognised by the judge and added the £500 would go back to EMICS.

He paid tribute to the "team effort" of the police and paramedics who helped at the scene.

James Hill was jailed for 16 years at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday

Judge Shaun Smith KC, sentencing Hill, said: "In one single slash, you managed to cause incredible damage to the neck [of the victim]. How you did not kill him is completely fortuitous.

"The incredible work from a doctor who lived five minutes away, came to the scene and saved his life. He must have been his angel on that particular night."

Hill was later arrested at an address in Dale Road following a stand-off with police where the defendant "held people hostage".

The court heard Hill began throwing items at officers and made threats.

The defendant, who finally agreed to come out of the house, was arrested and taken to hospital due to injuries sustained but "flicked" and "spat blood" at officers, Ms Slater added.

Hill admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in public, affray, two counts of damaging property and two counts of common assault on an emergency worker at a previous hearing in December.

In mitigation, Lesley Pidcock, representing Hill, said: "He's reacted in a split second that has ruined his life, not least that of the victim - he appreciates the seriousness of what he has done."