Retired doctor guilty of sex offences against patients
Dr Stephen Cox, aged 65, of Stockton Mill, Marton, near Welshpool, was found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault following a trial lasting four weeks at Reading Crown Court.
Six of the verdicts were unanimous and a further six by a majority verdict. He was acquitted of four further counts of indecent assault.
Dr Cox will be sentenced at the same court on Monday.
Dr Cox was a family doctor in Bracknell, Berkshire, during the 1980s and 1990s, practicing medicine at the Ralphs Rides surgery.
Over a number of years, Dr Cox indecently assaulted seven of his patients numerous times on the pretext of carrying out routine medical examinations on them.
All of his victims were women.
The offences took place prior to the widespread use of computerised healthcare records, which meant that the police investigation revolved around the retrieval of old-fashioned handwritten GP notes.
These notes played an important part in establishing the time periods in which Dr Cox targeted his victims.
Thames Valley Police said Dr Cox was working in a trusted profession and targeted his victims when they were at their most vulnerable. He claimed he did not recall any of the patients and always denied the allegations, saying it was either a misunderstanding, an accident, or that his victims were not telling the truth.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sara Di Giorgio, said: “These offences occurred many years ago, over a period of time in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Dr Stephen Cox’s victims had the courage to come forward to report these offences, and I am pleased that the jury carefully considered the evidence and came to what is absolutely the correct conclusion.
“Cox’s patients had every right to feel safe and to trust him, but he completely betrayed this trust, embarking on a series of indecent assaults which his victims have had to live with for many decades.
“He has never displayed an ounce of remorse for what he had done, and has constantly denied any wrong-doing, this despite a number of women, none of whom know each other, coming forward to report what he had done to them.
“He is a prolific and predatory sex offender hiding beneath the mask of being a trusted doctor, and I hope that the outcome of this case will give the victims some justice.
“I would like to praise each and every one of his victims for coming forward and showing the bravery, not only to report the offences, but also to testify in court.
“It is not to be underestimated the gravity of offending of Cox, and he will now face the consequences of his actions.
“We are keeping an open mind as to the possibility that Cox has committed other offences during his career.
“During his career, he also practiced in Burton-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Derby, Measham in Leicestershire, Wokingham, Ouse Valley in West Sussex, and Telford.”
“I would encourage anybody who believe that they may have been a victim of Cox to come forward, contacting us on 101 or via our website, quoting ‘Operation Kurtosis’.
“You can also report anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.
“We also work with the charity, the Survivors’ Trust, who can be contacted by calling 08088 010818 or visiting its website at www.thesurvivorstrust.org
“We have dedicated officers who are specialised in investigating sexual offences.
“We will listen, investigate appropriately and help victims to access any support services tailored to their needs.
“Please be reassured that the identity of any victims will always be protected.”
Information from the official web site for Thames Valley Police.
PICTURE: Google
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|