A former Romford GP has been given life sentences after sexually assaulting four women over a four-year period.

Manish Shah, 53, was convicted last month of 25 counts of sexual assault after a trial at the Old Bailey.

He was sentenced at the same court today (January 9) to two life sentences with a minimum term of ten years to run concurrently.

READ MORE: Romford GP Manish Shah guilty of sex offences

The court heard that over a four-year period from 2009 to 2013, Shah took advantage of his position to persuade women to have invasive examinations when there was no medical need for them, doing this for his own sexual gratification.

The Met Police said each victim reported a similar pattern of behaviour against Shah, explaining that he seemed to be a good doctor and was friendly and caring.

Using his position and the relationship he had created with them, he convinced the victims that they would need extra examinations to explore if there was anything more serious about the minor conditions they had attended for.

None of these examinations were needed or requested by the patients themselves, police said, and Shah intentionally misinformed the victims that the examinations were necessary and completed them without any justification.

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As well as conducting unnecessary examinations, Shah would go against protocol and not offer chaperones to join the victims during their appointments, leaving them alone with him to carry out these acts.

Det Ch Insp Tariq Farooqi said: “Shah is a serial predator and someone who has targeted and caused great harm and pain. I would like to, again, thank the victims and their bravery throughout this investigation.

“We do not tolerate violence against women and girls in any form and I hope this serves as another reminder that those who commit such offences will be found and justice will be served.

“I ask any person who is a victim of rape or sexual assault, regardless of when it happened to report it to police. We will treat your allegations seriously and support you throughout the process."