Former surgeon jailed for five and-a-half years after admitting offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and child cruelty during multiple male circumcision operations

A former surgeon has been jailed for a combined total of more than five and-a-half years (67 months) today (Wednesday 15 January) at Inner London Crown Court having admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, child cruelty and administering a prescription only medicine to several young and vulnerable patients whilst ignoring basic hygiene rules and performing non-therapeutic male circumcision whilst ignoring basic hygiene rules and performing non-therapeutic male circumcisions.

Dr Mohammad Siddiqui, 58, from Birmingham pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court on 29 October 2024 to a total of 25 offences which included, 11 counts of actual bodily harm, 6 counts of cruelty to a child and 8 counts of administering prescription only medicines contrary to the law. The prosecution was brought because of the methods Siddiqui used which showed a complete disregard to patient health, safety and comfort in private residences between 2014 and 2018.

Between June 2012 and November 2013, Dr Siddiqui provided a private mobile circumcision service whilst working asclinical fellow in paediatric surgery at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. In this capacity he was able to source the anaesthetic Bupivacaine Hydrochloride which is a prescription only medication.

In 2015 Siddiqui was ‘struck off’ the General Medical Council Register after a panel of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found him guilty of failures in performing non-therapeutic male circumcisions in the homes of four babies.

Despite having been ‘struck off’, Dr Siddiqui continued to promote and provide a mobile circumcision service. No longer being considered a ‘Health Care Professional’ he was able to do so because non-therapeutic male circumcision is unregulated with no requirement to be carried out by a medical practitioner. Dr Siddiqui continued to use Bupivacaine Hydrochloride and carry out circumcisions in unsafe, unsanitary and harmful ways. He advertised his services across the United Kingdom and by appointment performed non-therapeutic male circumcisions on young patients up to the age of 14 in their homes.

A serious organised crime prevention order was granted after being sought by the Crown Prosecution Service, which would prevent Dr Siddiqui from undertaking non-therapeutic circumcision following his release from custody. Without such an order or any license provision he could engage in these activities. For this reason, the order would be significant to safeguard children in the future.  

Anja Hohmeyer of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Siddiqui practised these circumcising acts in an unsafe and unsanitary environment and left children with emotional and physical scars as a result of his actions.

 “He showed a complete disregard for the impact of his actions on his victims, families, and communities. The delays Dr Siddiqui has caused to disrupt and elongate court proceedings whilst ultimately undertaking his own defence also need to be recognised. 

“His actions throughout the court process have caused significant further disruption and distress to his victims and their families, alongside significant additional legal costs due to the length of the delays he has caused. We hope that this conviction offers draws a line for all of those affected and brings some comfort to them in seeing Siddiqui being brought to justice.

“The CPS is committed to working with law enforcement partners to bring criminals to justice who wish to do harm”.

Police Staff Investigator Damon Kennard from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “This was a highly unusual case for police to become involved in. As ‘Officer in the Case’ for this investigation I was concerned at Dr Siddiqui’s apparent lack of insight and willingness to take action to remediate clinical failings highlighted to him by the General Medical Council that would have ensured the correct procedures were performed. He appeared entirely indifferent to the risk and suffering he was subjecting children to and in so doing betrayed the trust parents had placed in him to conduct a safe and sanitary circumcision. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many Police Forces across the UK who assisted with this investigation and above all the families and victims who remained supportive despite the protracted nature of the prosecution”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Fiona Bitters from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “This has been a complex investigation driven by the desire to secure justice for and safeguard children. Despite Siddiqui’s endeavours to de-rail proceedings, his pleas mid-trial demonstrates the strength of the case that we had brought to the court with evidence relating to a number of victims having already been presented. We share the frustration of the Crown Prosecution Service relating to the delays that Siddiqui caused to the court process that prevented us from presenting our case a number of years ago.

“Our investigation related to Siddiqui’s criminal actions whilst undertaking circumcision procedures and was not concerned with the practice of circumcision itself.

“I hope today’s sentence, which is significant, helps to bring some comfort to his victims and their families who have had to wait many years to see justice served for his actions. The circumstances of this case are unusual and novel. They have raised a number of concerns about non-therapeutic male circumcision, which will need to be addressed as part of the ongoing need to safeguard children. I sincerely hope that today’s sentencing helps to prevent children from coming to harm in this way again”.