Former doctor Paul Winwright jailed for 30 months at after stealing drugs, neglecting child and coercive control of his wife

A New Forest doctor stole anaesthetic drugs from the hospital where he worked and used them at home, eventually being found unconcious by his young son.

Paul Winwright (40) of Castle Malwood Lodge, Minstead, also threatened his wife with a knife and strangled her during a campaign of abuse, Southampton Crown Court heard before he was sentenced to 30 months in jail.

Winwright admitted taking medication from Southampton General Hospital between April 2021 and September 2022. Prosecutor Simon Walters told the court Winwright had spent time in The Priory to address his dependency on the drug.

On one occasion, while in sole charge of his young son, he went to the hospital and stole the medication before using it at home that evening.

His son, who had been in bed, woke to find Winwright unconscious in his bedroom with a vial of the drug in his hand.

The boy later told his mother he was “the most scared he had been in his life”.

As a result, Winward was charged with wilful neglect of a child, which he denied. However, he was found guilty at trial.

The court heard how Winwright’s misuse of the drug lead to the breakdown of his marriage and in March 2021 his wife told him she wanted to separate.

While still living together at the family home, Winwright’s behaviour became abusive, the court heard, with him threatening her with a knife and installing internal cameras to monitor her movements.

During one incident she had been hoovering when he strangled her without warning. On other occasions he would lie on her so she couldn’t move, spat on her and pushed her head into a pillow.

He also searched her bedroom, opened her post and threatened to lock her out if she was late home.

Winwright had denied using controlling and coercive behaviour, but was also found guilty of the offence at trial.

In a victim impact statement Winright’s wife said he had become "increasingly emotionally and psychologically abusive and controlling".

This left her needing antidepressants and suffering night terrors.

She added: "He is very intelligent and well-spoken, and has a way of manipulating people and situations in his favour.

“He would tell me no-one would believe me if I told them what he had done.

"I feel ashamed of myself for allowing Paul's behaviour to go on for so long".

Their child had become withdrawn and isolated as a result of what he had seen, she added.

She added: “I refuse to live my life as a victim of Paul. I will continue to work hard to foster a positive future for myself and my children.”

Defending, Jodie Mittell said Winwright began taking the drug due to mental health issues, including depression and PTSD.

He was under “considerable pressure” at work during the Covid pandemic, she said, and was “significantly” sleep deprived.

Winwright resigned from the hospital after being charged with theft and burglary in relation to the taking of medication, to which he pleaded guilty.

Prior to this he was of good character and was “a hard working and well-respected anaesthetist”, she added.

The crimes had been committed due to a "significant deterioration” of his mental health, he had a "real determination to address his offending behaviour" and was remorseful, she said.

The court heard Winwright had made a donation to the Southampton Hospitals Charity as a “token of compensation”.

Judge Peter Henry jailed him for 30 months, of which he will serve half before being released on licence.

He said Winwright “took advantage” of his position as a doctor to steal the medication.

He added that the treatment of his wife had been “a persistent case of control over a period of time” which had caused “a substantial adverse affect” on her.

In addition to the prison sentence, Winwright was handed a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting his wife.

After the sentencing, police staff investigator Jade Elkins – who led the investigation – said: “Winwright’s behaviour showed a complete disregard for those around him and those entrusted to his care. His sustained period of theft has had an unnecessary and significant impact on our valued National Health Service and I am pleased that he will now face the consequences of his actions while receiving the support he needs.

“There was a very real risk that Winwright’s behaviour would have seriously harmed either himself or those around him, on top of the harm and impact already caused, if it continued.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the victims of Winwright’s neglect and coercive and controlling behaviour for telling us what had happened to them and for their support throughout the investigation and court process. Without their courage we would not have secured this outcome.”

She added: “I want other people out there are suffering abuse in silence to please report this to police. We are here for you and will listen, but if you don’t want to speak to a police officer there are independent support services out there that can give you the help you need.

“I would also like to thank the investigation team who have worked hard to secure this outcome and bring Winwright before the courts.”