GP molested female patients as young as 11 by using medical stories about celebrities including Angelina Jolie as an excuse for his invasive examinations, a court has heard
This is an edited version of an article first published by The Telegraph.
Manish Shah allegedly spent four years carrying out intimate but unnecessary examinations on women and children for his own sexual gratification at his east London practice.
The 50-year-old went on trial and was accused of 34 sexual offences against eight victims aged between 11 and 39 over four years.
On one occasion, it is alleged Shah asked a woman if she would like him to examine her breasts after showing her a news story about Jolie having a preventative mastectomy.
He is also accused of citing Jade Goody, the reality star who died of cervical cancer, to persuade a separate woman that an examination was in her best interest.
A jury at the Old Bailey was told Shah, of Romford, east London, had already been convicted of similar allegations relating to 17 other patients.
Kate Bex QC, prosecuting, said: “He took advantage of his position to persuade women to have invasive vaginal examinations, breast examinations and rectal examinations when there was absolutely no medical need for them to be conducted.”
Shah allegedly attempted to justify an examination in medical notes by suggesting it was “requested”.
The ‘sexualised’ behaviour of the GP was said to be a common theme as he would allegedly give patients hugs and kisses.
Jurors were told that some patients would be singled out as ‘special’ or referred to as his ‘star’ for whom he had a soft spot.
Ms Bex said: “A family doctor is a position where trust is essential – a patient must place sufficient trust in the doctor to permit intimate examinations,
“The prosecution alleges that Dr Shah presented as a caring, considerate and solicitous doctor, prepared to go above and beyond for his patients, but that the evidence as a whole exposes that this was no more than a facade, and that he manipulated and abused the trust placed in him for his own sexual satisfaction.”
Shah has denied 13 charges of sexual assault and 21 counts of assault by penetration. The trial continues.
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