GP Manish Shah guilty of sex assaults on 23 female patients

Manish Shah worked as a family planning specialist

A GP who cited Angelina Jolie and Jade Goody to instil fear in his patients about their health has been found guilty of sexually assaulting 23 women.

Manish Shah preyed on cancer concerns to carry out invasive intimate examinations for his own sexual gratification, the Old Bailey heard.

He convinced his victims to have unnecessary checks between May 2009 and June 2013.

He was convicted of 25 counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

Jurors acquitted 50-year-old Shah, of Romford, of five other charges.

They were told afterwards he had already been found guilty of similar allegations relating to 17 other women, bringing the total number of victims to 23.

He will be sentenced for all the offences on 7 February. The BBC's health editor Hugh Pym said it was one of the biggest cases of its kind involving one doctor.

'Took advantage'

The trial heard Shah mentioned a news story to one patient about Hollywood star Jolie having a preventative mastectomy, before asking if she would like him to examine her breasts.

In another instance involving a different complainant, he mentioned TV personality Goody - who died of cervical cancer - and advised an examination was in her best interests, it was claimed.

Prosecutor Kate Bex QC told the trial: "He took advantage of his position to persuade women to have invasive vaginal examinations, breast examinations and rectal examinations when there was absolutely no medical need for them to be conducted."

One of Shah's patients told the BBC how she became one of the GP's victims.

"He would say you need to have these sexual health tests, to make sure you're safe - you never know if somebody goes with somebody else even though you might have a safe partner," she said.

"He was just encouraging the tests along when I didn't think anything of it, I thought if a doctor suggests it you pretty much go along with it.

"He just duped so many people. He used our weaknesses and fears and took complete advantage. But not one time did I actually think he was doing anything untoward."

The NHS in London said it "extended sympathies" to the victims and added: "As soon as the allegations came to light, swift action was taken and we have supported the police throughout their investigation."