Doctor who groped breasts of student doctor working again despite being on sex offenders register
A DOCTOR who groped a 21-year-old student nurse’s breasts has been allowed to return to work – despite being on the sex offenders register.
Dr Imran Qureshi, a married father of two, molested the young woman and proposed a “romantic friendship” with her at Trafford General Hospital in Manchester.
Imran Qureshi blamed cultural norms for molesting the young nurse[/caption]
During the 2016 trial, the shamed Pakistani doctor even blamed his disgusting behavior on “cultural norms” and offered the nurse a “deep-hearted apology”.
He was given a year’s community order, ordered to sign the sex offenders register and told to complete 20 days of rehab.
His name will remain on the register for another two years.
In 2017, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service barred Dr Qureshi for a year for the assault – but after complaining about his benefits, he is now returning to work as a doctor.
He said that he was finding it “hard” not working as a doctor and receiving state benefits.
During the 2016 trial, the prosecution said he had “ignored signs” the nurse did not welcome his behaviour, adding: “Given the length of time you’d been in the UK, you should have recognised [her] reluctance in light of your shared cultural understanding.”
‘CULTURAL NORMS’
Panel chairman Nicholas Flanagan told him: “Erasing your name from the Medical Register would be disproportionate and punitive.”
His name will remain on the register for another two years.
After a hearing in November that has only just come to light, the MPTS said: “The offence was a single incident some 3½ years ago.
“There is no evidence to suggest Dr Qureshi offended prior to his conviction, or since.”
They said their position was consistent with remarks by the 2016 trial judge that there was “no risk for the future.”
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The MPTS added: “The Tribunal consider that the imposition of conditions will allow Dr Qureshi time to further develop his insight into his criminal offence and conviction.
“It considered that conditions would permit Dr Qureshi to return to clinical practice and to further remediate while, at the same time, protect patients, and maintain public confidence in the profession.
“In the circumstances as they stand today, the Tribunal did not consider that it would be appropriate or proportionate to impose a further period of suspension on Dr Qureshi’s registration.”
The Sun has contacted the MPTS for comment.
He pressured a young student doctor into a “romantic friendship” and groped her breasts[/caption]