GP pleads not guilty to 118 sex offence charges
A FAMILY doctor appeared in court yesterday accused of sexually assaulting 54 patients – including a child under the age of 13.
Dr Manish Shah, 47, denies committing 118 sexual offences at a GP surgery between 2004 and 2013.
He is charged with 65 counts of assault by penetration, 52 counts of sexual assault, and one count of sexual assault on a child under 13.
The offences are alleged to have taken place at the Mawney Medical Centre in Romford, Essex.
Shah, of Romford, was suspended from practising as a doctor by the General Medical Council in August 2014, Barkingside magistrates’ court heard.
The charges were not read out during the short hearing. Emilie Dr Manish Shah yesterday Morrison, prosecuting, said: “In terms of the charges, there are a total of 118 charges in this case. There is one charge against section seven of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, 65 against section two of the same act, and 52 against section three of the same act.” Asked for a plea by District Judge Richard Hawgood, Shah’s defence lawyer, Julian Woodbridge replied: “Indication not guilty.” Shah stood in the dock, with his hands clasped behind his back, and confirmed that was correct. Judge Hawgood told him: “I hear what your indication is. These are matters that can only be dealt with in the Crown Court.
“I am sending you for trial on these matters to the Crown Court at Snaresbrook.
“It is appropriate for me to inform you that if you weren’t to appear for your trial, then your trial can take place in your absence.”
Shah was granted bail.
The court heard that he is not to practise as a GP or purport to do so.
He is not to attend the medical centre and is not to contact any former or current patients of the centre.
Shah is also not to contact any employee, past or present, of the centre.
And he is also not to access NHS medical records directly or indirectly.
Mr Woodbridge told the court: “There is no difficulty with those conditions.
He is due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 27. conditional