Top spinal surgeon suspended for assaults

A LEADING surgeon has been suspended from practising for a year after it emerged he had been convicted of a string of assaults.

Dr Niall Craig, a consultant based in Aberdeen specialising in spinal surgery, was hauled before disciplinary bosses after he appeared in court last year.

The 49-year-old – who helped pioneer a type of bone graft using silk from moths – admitted two charges of assault to injury which related to domestic abuse incidents between 2010 and 2016. He also admitted three charges of assaulting a child.

The medic, who qualified from Aberdeen University in 1992, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff

‘Violent behaviour’

Court last March and was given a community payback order with a two-year supervision period.

He reported himself to the General Medical Council and has now appeared before a Manchester hearing of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

His legal team said he was not a ‘violent man’, that none of the incidents related to the workplace and he had been stressed due to a heavy workload.

However, the panel ruled his fitness to practise was impaired and criticised him for blaming the attacks on work pressures.

Chairman Catherine Hartley said it was concerned that Dr Craig’s ‘insight is partial’.

However, she added: ‘A period of suspension would have a deterrent effect and would send a signal to the doctor, profession and public that this violent behaviour was unacceptable.’

The hearing was told Dr Craig has also been suspended by NHS bosses. A NHS Grampian spokesman said: ‘We have noted the decision of the panel.’