A doctor who groped a student nurse has been allowed to return to work even though he is still on the sex offenders register.

Dr Imran Qureshi, 46, a married father of two, had been barred from working after being convicted of sexual assault.

He had groped the 21-year-old’s breast while seeking “a romantic friendship” with her.

But he was given the green light to practise again after complaining he was finding it hard on benefits.

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At his 2016 trial, hospital locum Dr Qureshi blamed his actions on “cultural norms” in his native Pakistan and offered the nurse a “deep-hearted apology”.

He was given a year’s community order and told to complete 20 days of rehab.

His name will remain on the sex offenders register for another two years. In 2017, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service barred Dr Qureshi for a year for the assault at Trafford General Hospital in Davyhulme, Gtr Manchester.

They said the locum Senior House Officer 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.”

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Dr Qureshi has now re-registered with a locum agency.

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.”

In its reasons, the MPTS said: “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.

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“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.”

MedEcho did not respond to a request for comment.