Romford GP given two more life sentences for sexual assault

Manish Shah was sentenced at the Old Bailey yesterday (credit: Met Police)

A former doctor in Romford has been given two more life sentences for sexually assaulting four women.

Manish Shah, 53, was convicted after abusing his position of trust to persuade women to have unnecessary examinations for his own sexual gratification.

The offences happened at the Mawney Medical Centre between 2009 and 2013.

Each victim reported a similar pattern of behaviour against Shah, explaining that he seemed to be a good doctor and was friendly and caring.

The court heard how he’d used his position and the relationship he had created with them. He convinced the victims that they would need extra examinations to explore if there was anything more serious about the minor conditions they had attended for.

None of these examinations were needed or requested by the patients themselves. He intentionally misinformed the victims that the examinations were necessary and completed them without any justification.

As well as conducting unnecessary examinations, Shah, using his position and abusing the victim’s trust, would go against protocol and not offer chaperones to join the victims during their appointments, leaving them alone with him to carry out these acts.

The 53-year-old was sentenced to two life sentences with a minimum term of ten years to run concurrently, at the Old Bailey yesterday (Monday, 9 January).

Shah was already serving three life sentences for 90 previous offences against 24 female patients.

Detective Chief Inspector Tariq Farooqi said: “Shah is a serial predator and someone who has targeted and caused great harm and pain to many people. I would like to, again, thank the victims and their bravery throughout this investigation.

“We do not tolerate violence against women and girls in any form and I hope this serves as another reminder that those who commit such offences will be found and justice will be served.

“I ask any person who is a victim of rape or sexual assault, regardless of when it happened to report it to police. We will treat your allegations seriously and support you throughout the process.”

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