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A MASSIVE police investigation has led to the conviction and sentencing of Dr Manish Shah, 50, of Brunel Close, Romford for sexually assaulting women patients. The offences were carried out while Dr Shah was working as a GP at the Mawney Medical Centre in Romford.
Dr Shah assaulted patients over a five year period. His strategy was to warn women who were vulnerable – either because they were young or because they had a family history of cancer – that they may develop the condition. He would then carry out intimate examinations – pretending he was checking for early signs of cancer.
The jury heard that there was no clinical need for the “examinations” Dr Shah performed. He talked some of his victims into letting him examine them by referring to various celebrities who had had cancer. He behaved inappropriately with some victims: he made inappropriate comments, touched them inappropriately and/or hugged and kissed them. This helped to bring to light that the fact that the “examinations” were in fact assaults, carried out for his own sexual gratification.
Police were first informed about Dr Shah’s conduct in July 2013, when four women made separate complaints about him to the medical centre where he worked. These were passed on to the police, and a thorough investigation was launched. The doctor was charged with offences against these four women that September. During the ongoing investigation, police spoke to 139 women and charged Dr Shah with further offences.
Shah was convicted of 25 counts of sexual assault after a trial at the Old Bailey which lasted for six weeks, ending on 10th December last year. He was convicted of a further 65 offences of sexual assault at a second trial, which ended on 21st December. The charges related to offences against a total of 24 women who were aged between 15 and 32 when the offences were committed.
Detective Superintendent Tara McGovern from Central Specialist Crime said that the trial Judge had described Dr Shah as a “master of deception”. She explained that the practice had been unaware of what was going on and said, “These offences are particularly grave due to Shah’s abuse of his position, and of the trust placed in him as a family doctor. […] I would like to acknowledge the women who were victims of Shah and who supported the prosecution and gave evidence at Shah’s trials. Without their evidence, Shah may not have been brought to justice, but the weight of evidence against him at both trials was overwhelming.”
•The NHS has a dedicated number for any individuals who may have concerns or questions: 0800 011 4253.
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