Former Berkshire GP jailed for indecently assaulting female patients

A former GP who abused his position by indecently assaulting seven female patients during routine medical examinations between 1988 and 1997 has been jailed for 22 years.

During a four-week trial, a jury heard how Stephen Cox, 65, touched parts of the patients’ bodies during examinations at his surgery in Bracknell, Berkshire, despite there being no medical reason to do so.

As well as getting them to undress unnecessarily, he touched their breasts, pressed his body against them, and carried out internal examinations when they were not needed or without using gloves.

The offences were not reported at the time; however, the victims came forward once a police investigation opened into Cox. 

Chris White for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The medical expert who we put forward to give evidence during the trial confirmed that there was no medical justification for Stephen Cox’s actions.

“His behaviour was clearly sexually motivated, and he used his position to take advantage of his patients when they should have been able to trust him.

“With no witnesses to the assaults, it was the strength of all the victims’ accounts, which showed a similar pattern in Cox’s behaviour, that helped secure his conviction. We would like to thank them for coming forward and we hope today’s sentence gives them some sense of closure.”

Stephen Cox was found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against seven women at Reading Crown Court on 4 October 2024. He was sentenced at the same court on 7 October 2024.