An NHS doctor has been found guilty of indecently assaulting women whilst carrying out routine medical examinations on them.
65-year-old Stephen Cox denied 16 counts of indecent assault against seven women between 1988 and 1997. He practised in Bracknell, Berkshire during this time.
This month, Cox was found guilty of 12 charges and was found to have assaulted all seven victims. He will be sentenced at Reading Crown Court today (Monday, October 7) following a month-long trial.
Prosecutor Chris Hewertson said the former GP was “motivated by sexual pleasure” and that the touching was not medically justified at the former Ralphs Ride practice, now the Waterfield Practice.
Previously, the doctor was discharged in a trial when a verdict was unable to be reached on seven counts of indecent assaults on women.
He was cleared of another count of indecent assault at the time.
However, some of his victims came forward to complain about Cox’s behaviour after hearing or reading about police action against him on the radio and in local newspapers, decades after he had abused them. Police have also said they are keeping an “open mind” over other possible assaults.
Molly Frost, abuse claims solicitor at abuseclaims.co.uk emphasises how important it is for victims and patients to come forward is they have felt uncomfortable or been mistreated during an appointment.
She said:
“I have dealt with many cases involving abuse by GPS and other treatment providers. Doctors and in positions of trust and their patients are often vulnerable, being poorly or in pain.
“It is important that patients speak up if they feel they are in an uncomfortable situation or if they feel an examination has been inappropriately.”
Cox also worked in Wokingham, Burton-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Derby, Leicestershire, Telford and West Sussex.
Det Con Sara Di Giorgio, of Thames Valley Police, said the jury had come to “absolutely the correct conclusion” on his offending in Bracknell.
“Cox’s patients had every right to feel safe and to trust him, but he completely betrayed this trust, embarking on a series of indecent assaults which his victims have had to live with for many decades.
“He has never displayed an ounce of remorse for what he had done, and has constantly denied any wrong-doing, this despite several women, none of whom know each other, coming forward to report what he had done to them,” she added.
“He is a prolific and predatory sex offender hiding beneath the mask of being a trusted doctor, and I hope that the outcome of this case will give the victims some justice.
“I would like to praise each and every one of his victims for coming forward and showing the bravery, not only to report the offences, but also to testify in court.”
The BBC has also revealed that Cox was previously barred from practising as a doctor for nine months in October 2010.
Regulators found that he had acted inappropriately and in a “sexually motivated” way with multiple other women while working at a practice in Handcross, West Sussex.
Some of the instances included placing a hand inside a patient’s bra during an examination, pushing or thrusting his body against her bottom and deliberately touching and/or rubbing a medical student’s leg and arm.
In another incident, it found that he had told her that he was “making the most” of injecting her because “it’s not very often I get to touch women’s bottoms”, or words to that effect.
Cox, who arrived in court with a large holdall, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced by Judge Sarah Campbell from 14:00 BST on Monday.
Historic Abuse
Historic abuse refers to instances where an adult experienced sexual abuse as a child or young person under the age of 18. This can involve a single incident or multiple occurrences of abuse, carried out by a stranger, a relative, or someone familiar.
Sexual or physical abuse is considered a crime regardless of the victim’s age. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), child sexual abuse involves coercing or encouraging a child to participate in sexual acts. It remains abuse even if the child does not initially understand that something is wrong.
At AbuseClaims.co.uk, our team of experienced legal professionals are here to help you navigate the best path for pursuing your claim. With a deep understanding of handling sensitive cases, we are dedicated to offering the support needed for a successful outcome.
We operate on a No-Win, No-Fee basis, so you won’t incur any costs unless your claim is successful. A dedicated advisor will oversee your claim from start to finish, keeping you updated regularly and ensuring that the process remains as smooth and stress-free as possible.
How to make a historic abuse claim?
If you have been a victim of historic abuse, you may be entitled to make a claim. Whether the abuse occurred many years ago, or more recently, we are happy to assist.
This area of the law is highly specialised, and it is important to have a solicitor who has experience pursuing claims for compensation for historic sexual and physical abuse and assault.
Whilst these claims are personal injury claims, many aspects differ from general personal injury claims. At AbuseClaims.co.uk, our team of legal experts are trained in dealing with these types of cases and will be able to offer seasoned advice for a successful outcome.
You can contact us for a free no-obligation chat. We will advise you whether you are eligible to make a claim and the likely level of damages.
If you decide to pursue the claim we will do all the work for you, keeping you informed at every stage.
How long will my case take to run?
Generally, a civil claim for abuse or assault can be concluded within 6-12 months. We will provide you with regular updates as your claim progresses.
Once we have been able to assess your case, we will give you an idea at the outset of the likely timescale.
It will very much depend on what evidence we need to gather, who we are bringing the claim against and also whether the claim can be settled without court proceedings.
Should I make a claim?
Before deciding whether to pursue a claim, it’s crucial to seek initial legal advice to evaluate the merits of your case. At AbuseClaims.co.uk, we offer a free assessment and are happy to discuss your situation at no cost.
If a solicitor determines that your claim has merit, it’s also important to consider the potential impact on your health. Litigation can be a stressful process that may negatively affect your well-being.
While we cannot provide medical advice, we must inform you that pursuing a claim may bring up traumatic memories of the abuse, which could impact your mental health.
Please keep in mind that the primary outcome of a successful claim is financial compensation. While you may hope for answers through litigation, most cases settle out of court, which could leave some of your questions unresolved.
Your doctors may advise that revisiting the trauma could hinder your recovery. The decision to proceed should be made in consultation with your medical advisors and is entirely up to you.
If you choose to move forward with a claim, our team will do everything possible to support you and minimise the stress throughout the process.
Will I have to go to court?
If the case does not settle, then ultimately the matter would proceed to Court where a Judge would decide.
Most cases, however, do settle out of Court, so although this is an unlikely eventuality, we cannot rule it out as an impossibility.
If you do have any concerns about this during the process of your claim, then we would be happy to discuss this with you and address any concerns you may have.
Why should I use abuseclaims.co.uk?
abuseclaims.co.uk is committed to handling your abuse claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t owe us anything.
If your claim is successful, we will take a percentage of the compensation, meaning we only receive payment when we have achieved a positive outcome for you.
You will have a dedicated advisor who will manage your claim from start to finish, assisting with any questions or concerns along the way. If you prefer, we can assign a female advisor to handle your case.
Your case handler will also provide regular updates throughout the process, ensuring that your experience is as stress-free and smooth as possible.
Further reading
Sexual Abuse claims – abuseclaims.co.uk
Sexual abuse/domestic abuse claims – Oakwood Solicitors
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