GP sexually assaulted women he was examining after road traffic accidents

A general practitioner in Northern England has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after sexually assaulting two women during medical consultations following road traffic accidents, authorities announced. The defendant, Muhammad Iqbal, 64, from Julianstown, County Meath, Ireland, was found guilty of the offenses in a trial held at Newcastle Crown Court. He was also placed on the sex offender register for a period of 10 years. The incidents occurred in separate locations, Darlington and Sunderland, in 2023. Both victims had been referred to Iqbal for physiotherapy sessions arranged by their insurance companies following road traffic collisions. During these consultations, Iqbal allegedly committed sexual misconduct. In one case, he reportedly grabbed a woman's breast. In another, he falsely claimed he needed to examine her breasts for lumps, despite the session being intended for other purposes. The victims described feeling violated during the examinations and subsequently reported the incidents to the police. Durham Constabulary confirmed that the women came forward with their accounts, leading to the investigation and eventual prosecution of Iqbal. Despite denying the allegations, he was convicted following a trial. Detective Constable Charlotte Naisby, representing Durham Constabulary’s Complex Safeguarding Team, commended the victims for their courage in speaking out. She emphasized that Iqbal exploited the women during a vulnerable period in their lives, breaching their trust in a deeply troubling manner. Naisby expressed relief that Iqbal is now incarcerated and urged any potential victims to come forward with similar experiences. Sergeant Kimberley Ball of Northumbria Police echoed these sentiments, stating that the force would not tolerate such behavior. She highlighted that Iqbal was in a position of trust over the women and chose to commit the offense during a time when they were seeking medical help. Ball praised the victims' bravery in making reports and noted that their actions have contributed to making the region safer. The cases underscore the importance of accountability in professional settings, particularly within healthcare. The convictions highlight the legal system's ability to address serious breaches of trust and safety. As the sentencing concludes, attention will likely shift towards supporting the victims and ensuring appropriate measures are taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.