Dorset doctor struck off for hospital colleague sex attack
- Published
Dr Senthil Gopalakrishnan worked at Dorset County Hospital
A doctor has been struck off for sexually assaulting a colleague after a late-night operation on a patient.
Dr Senthil Gopalakrishnan, 53, touched and kissed the woman at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester in April 2021, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) found.
He was previously found not guilty of the assault at a criminal court, which requires a higher burden of proof.
However, the panel found him guilty of serious professional misconduct.
The pair were alone outside staff bedrooms on 2 April when the anaesthetist began to hug and then touch the younger woman, the tribunal heard.
He pushed her into a room and ignored her repeated requests to stop the "prolonged" 10-15 minute attack, the panel was told.
The victim told the hearing she did not shout or scream and felt frozen by what was happening to her, before being left close to tears at the end.
Dr Gopalakrishnan was found not guilty of sexual assault following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court in May 2022. Criminal courts require all elements of cases to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
However, the tribunal found the woman's allegations to be proved on the balance of probability.
'Immediately took steps'
It heard Dr Gopalakrishnan was previously found guilty of professional misconduct following similar incidents in 2010 and 2011.
It said that on all three occasions "he targeted female colleagues, in the workplace, during shifts when they were isolated and alone with him".
Dr Gopalakrishnan, who trained in India, showed "no recognition of guilt" or regret, the tribunal heard.
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said "We take all allegations of assault extremely seriously and would like to reassure staff that anyone raising concerns will be fully supported through the process.
"We immediately took steps to ensure staff and patient safety when the allegation was made and Mr Gopolakrishnan no longer works for the trust."
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