Tearful doctor is cleared of sex claims

Dr Abid Ali, 27, of Ayres Road, Old Trafford, always strongly denied he had behaved inappropriately during his physical examinations of the women, aged 86 and 76.

Dr Ali was working as a GP at Stonyhill Medical Centre in Lytham Road, South Shore.

After seeing the doctor the women complained their treatment had been inappropriate and lodged formal complaints.

The 86-year-old claimed he had touched her groin area when she went to discuss a knee problem. The younger woman complained the doctor had touched her chest during an eye consultation.

But Kate Becks, defending, called expert witnesses who told the jury a hip examination and chest examination were “clinically appropriate”.

She said: “These two ladies do not understand how the connections between these things are relevant. I have not and will never say these women have lied. They were not expecting any other part of their body to be examined. Dr Ali’s failing was to not explain what he was doing and why.”

Dr Ali is no longer working at the practice. He wiped tears from his eyes as Miss Becks told the jury how the allegations had affected him.

She said: “It is a pretty miserable experience for all and there are no winners and no losers in a case like this.”