A man posed as a doctor and sexually assaulted a female patient during a fake appointment at a Wimbledon hospital, a court has heard.

Ahmed Bhatti, 25, was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court of touching the 34-year-old victim after luring her into a room at the Nelson Hospital on the pretence he would test her blood.

On Wednesday, September 16, Bhatti was sentenced to 15 months in prison having originally pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The victim only established that Bhatti, who was an agency worker at the hospital in Kingston Road, had lied about being a doctor some time after the incident sparking a police investigation.

Detective Constable Alison Watters from Merton police said: “Ahmed Bhatti was in a position of trust which he clearly abused.

“It has been a distressing time for the victim and I would like to thank her for her bravery in coming forward and reporting this incident to the police.”

She added: “Without her support and dedication to this case, we would not have seen Ahmed Bhatti brought to justice. He has been given a custodial sentence that reflects the seriousness of his actions.”

Speaking after the case, Linda McQuaid, chief operating officer of NHS Sutton and Merton community services, apologised for the incident and the distress it has caused the patient.

She said: “Ahmed Bhatti, who has been prosecuted for this crime, was not an employee of NHS Sutton and Merton Community Services, but was hired from a local agency.

“We apply the same standards of safety to agency staff as we do to our own staff.

"This includes for instance ensuring that full Criminal Records Bureau checks are carried out and only using approved agencies to fill temporarily vacant posts.

“We expect our staff to wear identity badges at all times and to introduce themselves to patients whenever they approach them to carry out any form of care.”

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