Family doctor, 47, accused of sexually assaulting five women ‘told cancer-stricken patient “I’m helping you” as he groped her breasts and exposed himself during consultation …

By Andy Dolan[1]

Published: 16:42, 10 January 2024 | Updated: 16:51, 10 January 2024

A family doctor sexually assaulted five female patients, one of whom was a terminally ill cancer[2] sufferer who he told 'I'm helping you' as he fondled her breasts, a court heard today.

The patient, who has since passed away, told a palliative care nurse how GP Mohan Babu had complimented her on her breasts, exposed himself and groped her during a string of consultations about her pancreatic cancer.

A receptionist Babu had worked with at a previous surgery also told police how the doctor of 20 years once grabbed her and declared he was 'a lion going to eat her'.

Jurors were told the 47-year-old allegedly began targeting the patients - the youngest of whom was 19 - at Staunton Surgery in Havant, Hampshire, in 2019, a year after he had joined as a locum.

He was recommended by his wife, Dr Aroline Rodrigues, 43, who is a GP at the surgery.

Prosecutor Miranda Moore KC said Babu was the most-complained about doctor at the surgery, and had repeated warnings over his behaviour.

GP Mohan Babu, who was accused of secually assaulting five female patients, outside Portsmouth Crown Court

A receptionist Babu had worked with at a previous surgery also told police how the doctor of 20 years once grabbed her and declared he was 'a lion going to eat her'

Prosecutor Miranda Moore KC said Babu was the most-complained about doctor at the surgery, and had repeated warnings over his behaviour

All of the women he allegedly assaulted between June 2019 and July 2021 asked for a new GP.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard five other women - including the receptionist at his former workplace - complained about his 'over familiar' behaviour, however criminal proceedings have not been brought about their complaints.

'Nine women from the same surgery and a receptionist from his previous surgery; there's the pattern', Ms Moore said.

In three appointments with the 57-year-old cancer patient that summer, Babu was said to have behaved inappropriately.

At an initial appointment about her cancer, Dr Babu greeted her by saying 'do you want a hug?'.

At a follow-up appointment he asked to check her breasts and told her: 'You have a lovely figure and lovely breasts.'

Ms Moore KC said the woman visited Babu for a third time as she had to cancel a holiday due to her illness and needed a doctor's note.

'She said he instructed her to lie on the couch to listen to her heart', Ms Moore KC said.

'He locked the door and didn't offer her a chaperone.

'He asked her to lift her top and she asked why and he said so he can check for lumps.'

But the court heard he 'lingered while examining her breasts and pulled her nipples', causing her to freeze.

Babu then allegedly moved his hands under her skirt and when she told him to stop, she noticed his zip was undone and he was aroused.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard five other women - including the receptionist at his former workplace - complained about his 'over familiar' behaviour

The court heard at this point Babu said to the uncomfortable woman, 'I'm helping you, you need to touch it so I can help you.'

It was heard the woman asked the surgery to change her GP but didn't report it to a female palliative care nurse until over a year later, in September 2020, as she didn't want to spend her final days chasing a prosecution.

An investigation commenced and it emerged many other women complained about Babu and asked for a new GP to replace him.

Ms Moore KC told the jury about the alleged sexual assaults that happened to four other patients.

One patient, a 19 year old girl, visited Babu in February 2020 as she was struggling with anxiety.

'He paid her compliments like 'you are a beautiful girl', Ms Moore KC said.

'He listened to her chest from behind and counted the freckles on her back - 'one, two, three, four' - while lightly touching her skin as he did so.

'As she got up to leave, he took hold of her hands and he kissed her on the cheek.'

From April to July 2021, a married mother visited Babu three times after a neck injury.

In the first two appointments, Babu asked for hugs and told her she was 'cute'.

She thought the GP was just being 'nice'.

At the third appointment, he asked her to take her top off to check for moles.

Ms Moore KC said: 'He smoothed her breasts up and down about 20 times, she recalls, telling her it was 'lovely and smooth'.

'He then made the wholly inappropriate comment "ohh I'm not having a bad day".'

The court heard Babu then hugged her for about a minute and asked for a kiss.

'She noticed his breathing was heavy', the prosecutor added.

One patient, who attended the surgery from September 2019 to June 2020 with knee and hip issues, said Babu hugged her and asked for her number

One patient, who attended the surgery from September 2019 to June 2020 with knee and hip issues, said Babu hugged her and asked for her number.

In one examination with the patient, Babu allegedly held her knee with one hand and used his other hand to 'cup' her genitals and squeeze.

Another patient with stomach issues was allegedly sexually assaulted twice in April 2021, once when Babu touched her intimately and once when she felt his penis against her hand.

Babu, from Emsworth, Hants, stopped working at Staunton Surgery in July 2021, at which point he was under police investigation.

He denies seven counts of sexual assault in relation to five patients, insisting he was being friendly and innocent.

The three-week trial continues.

References

1. ^ Andy Dolan (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ cancer (www.dailymail.co.uk)