A MAN who sued his doctor for giving him a common cold has had his case thrown out by a judge at Salisbury county court.

Trevor Perry brought the case after a consultation with Dr Helen Young at Salisbury hospital.

He claimed that the doctor was suffering from a cold and should have cancelled her appointments to avoid infecting patients.

Mr Perry, who is believed to be unemployed and in his 30s, was initially awarded £200 in an interim ruling after Salisbury health care trust failed to contest the case.

But last week, Judge Nicholas Murphy set aside the initial judgement, ruling that the case should not proceed to a full hearing.

Mr Perry was ordered to pay the hospital's costs of £750, plus £50 towards the court costs incurred by his bringing the action.

The hearing, which was held behind closed doors, was scheduled to last 15 minutes but went on for nearly two hours, while Mr Perry, who represented himself, argued his case.

His claim was contested on behalf of Dr Young by lawyer Sam Holden, who read out a prepared statement on behalf of Salisbury health care trust.

He said: "The court has considered the case in detail and has ordered that Mr Perry's claim be dismissed.

"The trust has always maintained that his case was without merit and has caused unnecessary distress and expense to all those involved."

Mr Perry declined to comment on any aspect of the case or the ruling against him, and left Salisbury combined courts by a side door with his coat over his head.