GP ‘told Jolie mastectomy story then molested patient’
A GP molested female patients as young as 11, using medical stories about celebrities including Angelina Jolie as an excuse for “invasive” examinations, a court has heard.
Manish Shah allegedly performed unnecessary intimate examinations on women and children for his own sexual gratification at his east London practice. The 50-year-old yesterday went on trial accused of 34 sexual offences against eight victims aged 11 to 39 between 2009 and 2013.
Shah allegedly asked one woman if she would like him to examine her breasts after showing her a news story about Jolie having a preventive mastectomy.
He is also accused of citing Jade Goody, the reality star who died of cervical cancer, to persuade a woman an examination was in her interest.
An Old Bailey jury was told Shah, from 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.”
The GP’S “sexualised” behaviour was said to be a common theme, as he allegedly gave patients hugs and kisses.
Ms Bex said: “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
‘He manipulated and abused the trust placed in him for his own sexual satisfaction’
and abused the trust placed in him for his own sexual satisfaction.”
Shah is alleged to have flouted guidelines on the use of chaperones and to have not always worn gloves. Ms Bex said he gave healthy women under 25 smear tests and gave routine breast examinations to women under 50 that caused more harm than good.
Shah denies 13 charges of sexual assault and 21 counts of assault by penetration. The trial continues.