A ππ½πΈπΈππΎππ case has emerged involving a doctor who has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting two patients during medical examinations. GP Muhammed Iqbal, 64, used his role to exploit vulnerable women, leading to a conviction that has left many in disbelief.
Operating primarily in Ireland, Iqbal was contracted by insurance companies to assess individuals injured in car accidents. During these appointments, he reportedly crossed professional boundaries in the most disturbing ways. Court documents reveal that he groped the breasts of two women and, in one instance, rubbed against a patient while inappropriately aroused.
The unsettling details came to light during a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, where Iqbal faced two counts of sexual assault. Despite his denial of the charges, a jury found him guilty after hearing the harrowing testimonies of his victims. Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced Iqbal to 18 months in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.
Both victims bravely attended the sentencing, sharing their emotional impact statements. One woman expressed her profound sense of betrayal, stating, βI 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.β She urged others who may have suffered similar experiences to come forward, highlighting the importance of speaking out.
The second victim described feeling targeted while in a vulnerable state, revealing that the shock of the incident lingered for months, eventually transforming into anger. Judge Bindloss noted how Iqbal used his medical exams as a facade to carry out his assaults, taking advantage of patients who were already dealing with the aftermath of car accidents.
In his remarks, the judge detailed the specific assaults, one occurring in Darlington and the other in Sunderland, where Iqbal allegedly instructed a patient to remove her top under the guise of a medical examination. The judge’s decision to impose an immediate prison sentence was clear: the community must be assured that their healthcare providers act in their best interests.
Iqbal, who is married with adult children, has been suspended by the General Medical Council and is set to be permanently removed from the medical register. His defense attorney acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that Iqbal will never practice medicine again.
As this unsettling case unfolds, many are left wondering how such a breach of trust could occur in a profession dedicated to healing. What measures can be taken to ensure the safety of patients in medical settings?
