- GP Muhammed Iqbal was jailed for 18 months after being convicted of sexually assaulting two women during medical appointments in Darlington and Sunderland.
- Iqbal, employed by insurance companies, conducted examinations on car accident victims at clinics in Sunderland and Darlington.
- During these examinations, he sexually assaulted two women, groping their breasts and rubbing against one with an erection.
- Iqbal denied two charges but was convicted by a jury after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
- Judge Bindloss noted that the assaults undermined the bond of trust between physician and patient.
- Both victims read impact statements; one urged others to come forward, and Iqbal will be struck off by the GMC.
- The first assault occurred in Darlington, where Iqbal told the victim to stand up and then rubbed against her with an erection, pulling and squeezing her left breast.
- The second assault took place in Sunderland, where he asked the victim to remove her top and touched both breasts.
Irish GP Muhammed Iqbal, 64, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for sexually assaulting two women during medical examinations in Darlington and Sunderland.12
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Iqbal, who denied the charges, was convicted after a jury trial.
Judge Edward Bindloss highlighted the serious breach of trust, stating, "These offences are of such seriousness because it undermines the bond of trust that exists between a physician and his patient, which is crucial for the wellbeing of people and their health."
During the assaults, Iqbal groped one woman and rubbed against her with an erection, while he asked the second woman to remove her top under the pretense of a medical examination.
Both victims attended the hearing, sharing their impact statements. One victim expressed, "I went to you as a doctor, as someone in a position of trust and you not only completely betrayed this position but also the medical oath you had taken."7
The judge noted that Iqbal was employed by insurance companies to conduct examinations for individuals injured in car accidents, and he regularly traveled from Ireland to the UK for this work.3
Iqbal's defense attorney, Phil Gibbs, stated that Iqbal would be struck off and would never practice medicine again. The judge emphasized the importance of trust in the doctor-patient relationship, stating, "People need to know their GP or a doctor they are seeing has their best interests at heart."
Iqbal's actions have not only led to his imprisonment but also to the loss of his medical career and reputation.
“Iqbal, 64, was employed by insurance companies to examine car accident victims and will be struck off by the GMC, losing his practice in Ireland. One victim told him he betrayed the medical oath, urging other potential victims to come forward.”
Metro.co.uk
