Merseyside doctor Stephen Crosby (pictured) was jailed for five years for sexually assaulting a patient

A former doctor who molested a string of women patients was described by a judge as 'a predatory sex offender' today as he was jailed for for five years.

Merseyside doctor Stephen Crosby had also been jailed for five years in 2004 after 23 women patients came forward making similar allegations about sex attacks over a 20 year period.

Another woman only came forward in 2014 after learning he had been caught 'flashing' in a pub car park and feared he still represents a danger to women.

Judge Andrew Menary QC agreed and sentenced him to five years for assaulting her on February 4, 2000.

The woman, now 59, saw Crosby, not her usual doctor, in an emergency appointment at his practice, The Village Surgery in Formby, because of abdominal pain.

During the doctor's examination of her he did not use gloves or lubricant and did not ask the woman if she wanted a chaperon.

Judge Menary told Liverpool Crown Court: 'What she did not know, could not have known but later events revealed, is that you were a predatory sex offender taking advantage of opportunities to carry out intimate examinations on women in order to fulfill your perverted desire for sexual gratification.'

He pointed out that the victim is believed to have been suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease and any internal examination would have been particularly uncomfortable.

And doing so on that occasion was 'pointless' as it was too late on a Friday evening to send swabs for examination, he added.

'Nevertheless you asked her to get on the couch, lower her clothing and then you carried out an internal vaginal examination, inserting one or more fingers of your right hand and using fingers on your left hand to massage her clitoris.

'It did not last long but long enough to make it plain this was no ordinary medical examination. I am satisfied from a medical point of view that this was wholly unnecessary and pointless examination.

'That was not the reason you carried it out on that day and the fact you did not record that examination in the notes makes that plain. It was not recorded because it should never had happened in the way it did.'

Judge Menary told Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) the affect on the victim has been 'profound' and she lives with the consequences consciously and sub-consciously

Judge Menary said the affect on the victim has been 'profound and she lives with the consequences consciously and sub-consciously. Her statement makes plain the impact on her life and personal relationships.'

Crosby stood trial in 2004 facing allegations of indecently assaulting 12 women. He was convicted of seven of them and cleared of five.

Allegations by a further 14 women were left to lie on the file. He was later struck off by the GMC.

Judge Menary said that Crosby denied all the allegations and still does. 'You did not acknowledge the problem you undoubtedly have, the risk you undoubtedly pose to woman,' he said.

He did not take the opportunity 'to make a clean breast of things to try and start with a clean slate.

You have therefore denied yourself the freedom from subsequent prosecution and punishment that would follow conviction. You are the author of your own situation.'

The court heard that if the offences were committed today they would be charged as assault by penetration which carries the maximum of a life sentence.

Judge Menary ordered Crosby, who showed no emotion, to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

After he left the dock he told the jury that the events were tragic for Crosby's family, 'who have plainly stood by him all these years ..and continue to believe the best about him.'

His wife and other supporters sat in the public gallery throughout the trial.

The jury heard that the victim did not complain at the time because of family pressures and then moved away from Formby to Yorkshire for a long time.

After she moved back she heard he had been convicted of outraging public decency.

The 63-year-old, of Formby, pleaded not guilty to indecent assault and told the court he is not an abuser.

The court heard that as well as the 2014 conviction for exposing himself he had been cautioned for a similar offence in 2001.



