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GP convicted over bottom smacking GP convicted over bottom smacking
(20 minutes later)
A doctor has been ordered to do unpaid community work after being convicted of sexually assaulting two women patients. A doctor has been ordered to do unpaid community work after being convicted of sexually assaulting two patients.
Dr Rajinder Aggarwal, from Ilford, east London, smacked his patients' bottoms and asked about their sex lives. Dr Rajinder Aggarwal, from Ilford, east London, smacked the women's bottoms and asked about their sex lives.
He was given a nine-month community order, which included 80 hours of unpaid work and a requirement to be supervised by the Probation Service.He was given a nine-month community order, which included 80 hours of unpaid work and a requirement to be supervised by the Probation Service.
Judge Mitchell, sentencing at Basildon Crown Court, also ordered the GP to pay £3,000 towards court costs.Judge Mitchell, sentencing at Basildon Crown Court, also ordered the GP to pay £3,000 towards court costs.
Aggarwal was sentenced on Monday after being found guilty of the offences following a trial at the court that ended in March.Aggarwal was sentenced on Monday after being found guilty of the offences following a trial at the court that ended in March.
I have decided that the most appropriate punishment is a community order Judge Christopher MitchellI have decided that the most appropriate punishment is a community order Judge Christopher Mitchell
He was found not guilty of a third charge and was cleared of a fourth during the trial. He was found not guilty of two further sexual assault charges.
The court heard that the women were assaulted after being treated by Dr Aggarwal for minor complaints.The court heard that the women were assaulted after being treated by Dr Aggarwal for minor complaints.
Judge Christopher Mitchell told him: "As far as their complaints were concerned, you acted perfectly properly in the way that you treated them but what you did, which was decidedly odd and immediately frightening for each of these women, was that you suddenly smacked their behinds."Judge Christopher Mitchell told him: "As far as their complaints were concerned, you acted perfectly properly in the way that you treated them but what you did, which was decidedly odd and immediately frightening for each of these women, was that you suddenly smacked their behinds."
He said the offences were aggravated by Dr Aggarwal's position as a doctor and added there was an "overwhelming likelihood" that it would lead to him being struck off by the General Medical Council (GMC).He said the offences were aggravated by Dr Aggarwal's position as a doctor and added there was an "overwhelming likelihood" that it would lead to him being struck off by the General Medical Council (GMC).
He said this was a very severe punishment for a man in his position.He said this was a very severe punishment for a man in his position.
'Stress and anxieties''Stress and anxieties'
"For that reason...I have decided that the most appropriate punishment is a community order," he said."For that reason...I have decided that the most appropriate punishment is a community order," he said.
Jurors were told the women who complained were aged between 25 and 55 and that the offences took place during a two-month spell two years ago.Jurors were told the women who complained were aged between 25 and 55 and that the offences took place during a two-month spell two years ago.
Aggarwal worked at a doctors' surgery and a hospital - both in east London, the court heard.Aggarwal worked at a doctors' surgery and a hospital - both in east London, the court heard.
Christina Lambert, QC, mitigating, said he had been married for 23 years and had two "high-achieving" children.Christina Lambert, QC, mitigating, said he had been married for 23 years and had two "high-achieving" children.
The court heard that he had suffered from depression following the offences and had fallen into debt after being suspended from work in March 2007.The court heard that he had suffered from depression following the offences and had fallen into debt after being suspended from work in March 2007.
It was also told that one of the women, in a victim impact statement, had spoken of the "stress and anxieties" she had suffered as a result of the ordeal.It was also told that one of the women, in a victim impact statement, had spoken of the "stress and anxieties" she had suffered as a result of the ordeal.
Miss Lambert said the doctor will now face a GMC Fitness to Practise Panel where he is likely to be "erased from the register".Miss Lambert said the doctor will now face a GMC Fitness to Practise Panel where he is likely to be "erased from the register".
A GMC spokeswoman confirmed Aggarwal was still suspended from duties.A GMC spokeswoman confirmed Aggarwal was still suspended from duties.