GP sentenced to 22 years in prison after string of assaults on female patients

Cox, from Stockton Mill, Welshpool, Shropshire, committed the offences under the guise of routine medical examinations at his surgery in Bracknell between 1988 and 1997.

His actions included unnecessarily asking patients to undress, touching their breasts, pressing his body against them, and performing internal examinations without medical justification or proper protection.

Judge Sarah Campbell described Cox as “the worst kind of sexual predator”, who had hidden “in plain sight” as a trusted family doctor.

The court heard that Cox targeted vulnerable women, including those who were pregnant, had left abusive relationships, or were grieving. He selected victims he believed were less likely to complain due to their age or background.

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Thames Valley Police Detective Constable Sara Di Giorgio said Cox was a “prolific sex offender” who “committed his crimes in plain sight”.

The offences occurred before computerised healthcare records, complicating the police investigation which relied on handwritten GP notes.

Some victims came forward after hearing about the police action against Cox in local media.

Chris White from the Crown Prosecution Service stated: “With no witnesses to the assaults, it was the strength of all the victims’ accounts, which showed a similar pattern in Cox’s behaviour, that helped secure his conviction.”

Statement by Thames Valley Police Detective Constable Sara Di Giorgio outside Reading Crown Court following sentencing of Stephen Cox

PA

Judge Sarah Campbell told Cox during the sentencing: “You are in a sense the worst kind of sexual predator, hiding in plain sight behind the guise of a trusted friendly family GP but who took advantage of the unique position you were in to abuse and satisfy your sexual desires.”

The judge said Cox’s conviction “strikes at the heart of everything the medical profession stands for”.

She added: “As many sexual predators do, you picked your female victims carefully, knowing that because of their age or their history and background they would be less likely to complain.”

Judge Campbell noted that Cox’s actions demonstrated a “gross breach of trust” in his role as a trusted GP.

The impact on Cox’s victims has been profound and long-lasting. One victim told the court she had been “betrayed in the worst possible way” and was still deeply affected more than 30 years later.

Another victim described how the assaults had ruined her life, stating: “I don’t get close to people – physically, especially. I can just be having a cuddle with my partner and [Cox] just comes into my head.”

She said that Cox “used my vulnerability to his advantage”, adding he was a “nasty vile little man”.

A victim who was assaulted while pregnant said she “could not face being pregnant again” after her experience with Cox.

Cox had previously been suspended from practising as a doctor for nine months in October 2010 by the General Medical Council (GMC).

This suspension was due to inappropriate and “sexually motivated” behaviour with two patients and a trainee at a practice in West Sussex.

Judge Campbell noted that the GMC intends to bring further proceedings against Cox as a result of these new convictions.

White said: “For decades, Cox’s victims have endured the pain and suffering of believing he had got away with his crimes – he did not.”

“We would like to thank them for coming forward and we hope today’s sentence gives them some sense of closure.”