Disgraced doctor faces jail after being convicted of sexual misconduct

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Disgraced-doctor-faces-jail/article-3453384-detail/article.html
Disgraced doctor faces jail after being convicted of sexual misconduct

Benjamin Obukofe By suzy gibson court staff

A disgraced hospital doctor has been convicted of sexual misconduct towards two female members of staff.

Benjamin Obukofe could be facing jail after being found guilty of three counts of sexual assault at Leicester Crown Court yesterday.

These included touching the bottom of a 16-year-old ward trolley hostess and two offences against an administrative member of staff.

The 43-year-old was cleared of four similar allegations involving two nurses and a ward clerk, who alleged more serious sexual misconduct.

Obukofe, now of Tideside Court, Harlinger Street, London, denied all the charges, claiming he never abused any members of staff at the privately-run Spire Hospital, in Gartree Road, Oadby. However, the jury unanimously found him guilty of three. He will be sentenced next month.

Judge Simon Hammond said: "This is a very sad day for an able doctor. On three occasions you behaved in a way that a doctor shouldn't behave towards hospital staff. All sentencing options remain open and that includes custody."

Christopher Kessling, prosecuting, claimed at the start of the trial that Obukofe was a "sexual menace" who made persistent approaches to female members of staff.

He said the doctor made flirtatious comments to women employees at Spire as well as at another workplace, Milton Keynes General Hospital.

Six other women, three from each hospital, came forward to give prosecution evidence about alleged over-friendly or inappropriate behaviour by him.

Mr Kessling said there was no complaint about the defendant's clinical ability and he was generally considered to be a competent doctor.

Obukofe's defence barrister, Adrienne Lucking, said her client's friendly behaviour had been misunderstood.

She said there was a "witch hunt" against him.

The defendant told the jury that female members of staff had complimented him on his clothes and flirted with him, which he had ignored. No-one ever warned him he had overstepped the line, he said.

He was convicted of touching the bottom of the trolley hostess, who said he would wink at her and blow kisses.

He was also found guilty of two offences against the administrative member of staff – involving him wrapping his arms around her and placing his head on her neck, as well as kissing her on the cheek after she turned her face away as he moved to kiss her on the lips.

Obukofe was found not guilty of allegedly pressing his body in an aroused state against a ward clerk, and not guilty of touching a nurse's breast.

He was also acquitted of two offences against another nurse, who alleged he placed her hand on his groin and, on another occasion, touched her breast and pressed his groin against her when aroused. The General Medical Council has yet to decide if the married father-of-one will be struck off the register. He has been suspended without pay since March, 2009, which means he cannot, at the moment, practice as a doctor in the UK.

An investigation is taking place to decide whether Obukofe should face a "fitness to practice" hearing.

A spokesman for the Spire hospital said: "The primary concern of the hospital is always the welfare and safety of our patients and staff.

"We take this responsibility very seriously and set extremely high standards across every aspect of our business.

"This includes behaviour towards other colleagues, and we do not tolerate any inappropriate or irresponsible behaviour.

"Mr Obukofe was on a temporary contract, which was suspended immediately, and he no longer works at the hospital."

Isn't Spire where Mister Gerry has his private practice?

The Famous Grouse wrote:Isn't Spire where Mister Gerry has his private practice?

Yes, I'm pretty sure it's Spire.

IT WAS SPIRE HEALTHCARE THAT EMPLOYS GERRY MCCANN,THINK HE APPEARS ON THEIR LIST ON WEBSITE