Simon Abraham 35

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An ex-doctor who sexually assaulted a patient after visiting her at home has been jailed for 18 months for the offence.

Simon Abraham, 34, of Penrith Way, Eastbourne, was working at Eastbourne District General Hospital when he contacted the female patient, who had been discharged after treatment.

Abraham had told the woman that he had a call from a colleague who was "concerned about her condition". The offender then said that he had been trained in specialist massage in India for two years and could visit her.

She agreed to his visit but during the massage he sexually assaulted her. He left when a visitor came to the house, but continued to phone her afterwards.

The patient then contacted the hospital who advised her that they would investigate, but she should also contact police. An investigation was launched and Abraham was arrested.

After a four day trial at Chichester Crown Court on May 26, Abraham was found guilty of sexual assault. He was sentenced on July 14 to 18 months in prison, with nine months custodial and nine months on licence.

The court also heard how he will be placed on the sex offenders' register for ten years and is subject to a five year restraining order to protect the victim from contact by him. DC Jo Gledhill said: "Abraham took advantage of the victim's pain, fraudulently accessing her patient details even though he wasn't officially treating her, and then visiting her when he finished work, claiming that he could massage her headache away.

"When he was arrested, he denied that it happened at all, but then asked for a further interview where he admitted going to her house, but did not sexually touch her. We will always take reports of this nature very seriously and specially trained officers will deal with your call. If you have been sexually assaulted, please contact us and we will investigate."