Jailed sex pest doctor removed from medical register

Dr Niaz Ahmed, of Broadlands, Cleadon, was jailed for 18 months in February last year after he was convicted of two counts of indecent assault at Newcastle Crown Court, with his sentence later reduced to nine months on appeal.

He was also told he must sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Now the anaesthetist, who had worked at South Tyneside Hospital, has been told by the General Medical Council's medical practitioners' tribunal service that his name has been erased from the medical register.

He was also suspended because of his misconduct.

The panel told him: "The tribunal is of the view that the public interest requires that it be made clear that your behaviour, as detailed previously, is unacceptable in a member of the medical profession."

The hearing also stated there had been a "serious departure" from the principles set out in good medical practice where behaviour is incompatible with being a doctor and there had been an abuse of a position of trust.

The fact the offences were of a sexual nature and a "persistent lack of insight into the seriousness" of his actions or consequences, were also highlighted.

Aggravating factors included that his insight into his actions had regressed since a review hearing in January last year.

It also said: "The tribunal considers that you have failed to accept your mistakes, failed to take responsibility for your behaviour and continue to lay blame on others."

The tribunal noted he claimed the touching was accidental and he had not breached boundaries and also said his conviction came about because of vigilantism, rather than the assaults.

He had also said there was no sexual gratification involved, so did not amount to inappropriate behaviour.

The tribunal heard on one occasion, he touched a nurse as they prepared for surgery and asked her "Well, what about it? Do you fancy it?" after he squeezed her bottom, and in another, he touched a nurse's breast.

The GMC was also told of an incident at a firework display when he behaved inappropriately towards teenage girls.