PATIENTS at a doctors’ surgery were evacuated after a man went beserk in the reception area, a court has heard.

Peter Montague was ranting and raving, overturning chairs and tables and threw a fire extinguisher at doors at the Field Lane surgery in Kessingland, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

As the violence escalated patients were evacuated and police officers who arrived on the scene used a Taser to incapacitate Montague after he squared up to them, said Patricia Doggett, prosecuting.

Montague, 49, of The Nordalls, Kessingland, admitted affray and being in breach of a suspended prison sentence. He was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, placed on supervision for 18 months and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work in the community. He must also pay �600 compensation for damage he caused to the surgery.

Sentencing, Judge Rupert Overbury said Montague had acted in a terrifying manner and had appeared to be in a blind rage.

As Montague had spent 78 days in custody since the affray in February he felt able to pass a suspended prison sentence. He had responded well to supervision in the past and a suspended sentence would mean he would be on supervision for 18 months.