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Ex-gynaecologist avoids charges Ex-gynaecologist avoids charges
(about 1 hour later)
A disgraced gynaecologist who was struck off after botching operations will not face criminal charges, the Crown Prosecution Service has ruled.A disgraced gynaecologist who was struck off after botching operations will not face criminal charges, the Crown Prosecution Service has ruled.
Richard Neale was struck off in 2000 over operations at Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.Richard Neale was struck off in 2000 over operations at Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.
The General Medical Council heard how he put women through agonising pain and left some unable to have children.The General Medical Council heard how he put women through agonising pain and left some unable to have children.
A re-examination of an earlier inquiry showed there was no realistic prospect of a conviction, the CPS said.A re-examination of an earlier inquiry showed there was no realistic prospect of a conviction, the CPS said.
As well as working in Northallerton, Mr Neale also had spells in Leicester and at the Portland Hospital in central London.As well as working in Northallerton, Mr Neale also had spells in Leicester and at the Portland Hospital in central London.
Manslaughter allegationsManslaughter allegations
He got jobs in the UK despite having been struck off by the Canadian authorities in 1985 after an investigation into the deaths of two of his patients.He got jobs in the UK despite having been struck off by the Canadian authorities in 1985 after an investigation into the deaths of two of his patients.
In 2001 the CPS decided there was insufficient evidence for a conviction, but in July 2004 North Yorkshire Police announced they were reopening the investigation.In 2001 the CPS decided there was insufficient evidence for a conviction, but in July 2004 North Yorkshire Police announced they were reopening the investigation.
A team of detectives wrote to more than 300 of Mr Neale's patients and received 145 replies, all of which were investigated.A team of detectives wrote to more than 300 of Mr Neale's patients and received 145 replies, all of which were investigated.
The team investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Joyce Blackbird, 47, who died following an operation, and Daniel Carver, a baby who died two days after he was born when Richard Neale attended as the on-call consultant at the delivery.The team investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Joyce Blackbird, 47, who died following an operation, and Daniel Carver, a baby who died two days after he was born when Richard Neale attended as the on-call consultant at the delivery.
The CPS was asked to look at the evidence in the context of allegations of manslaughter by way of gross negligence, assault, perverting the course of justice, obtaining property by deception and obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception, together with breaches of health and safety regulations.The CPS was asked to look at the evidence in the context of allegations of manslaughter by way of gross negligence, assault, perverting the course of justice, obtaining property by deception and obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception, together with breaches of health and safety regulations.
Families informedFamilies informed
Reviewing lawyer in the Special Crime Division, Howard Cohen, said: "After looking at all the evidence - including that of experts - and seeking the advice of counsel, I have decided that there is insufficient evidence to provide for a realistic prospect of conviction to prosecute him for any criminal offence."Reviewing lawyer in the Special Crime Division, Howard Cohen, said: "After looking at all the evidence - including that of experts - and seeking the advice of counsel, I have decided that there is insufficient evidence to provide for a realistic prospect of conviction to prosecute him for any criminal offence."
Mr Cohen has written to the patients and families involved to explain his decision in detail and has offered to meet them to discuss how he reached his decision.Mr Cohen has written to the patients and families involved to explain his decision in detail and has offered to meet them to discuss how he reached his decision.
Sheila Wright-Hogeland, who runs a support group for about 400 of Mr Neale's former patients, said she was disappointed with the decision.
She said: "It's very, very disheartening and disappointing.
"There are 400 people in the group and they've all been seriously, seriously harmed. The suffering has been major, major - off the scale.
"This (prosecution) would have meant closure for a lot of them."