CPS News Brief

Breast surgeon convicted of wounding patients

 

A breast surgeon who carried out wholly unnecessary procedures, often including radical surgery, on nine women and a man has today been convicted of malicious wounding following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

Ian Paterson, 59, carried out the surgery while working in private practice in the West Midlands between 1997 and 2011. In most cases he told the victims they were at risk of developing breast cancer when in fact the procedures were not necessary.

Some victims underwent multiple surgical procedures for which there was no clinical basis.

The trial heard evidence from the nine women and one man who described the physical and psychological effects the procedures had on them, which included the removal of breast tissue and double mastectomies.

One victim, who became pregnant several years after undergoing a procedure, was misled by Paterson that she would be unable to breast feed her child, causing her significant distress.

Pamela Jain, from the CPS, said:

“Ian Paterson carried out procedures which no reasonable surgeon would have considered justified and he knew the operations were unnecessary.

“The prosecution evidence showed how Paterson breached the trust of his victims by convincing them to undergo surgical procedures.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victims in this case who bravely came forward to give their evidence which was of a very personal nature.”

Paterson will be sentenced in due course.

Ends

Notes to Editors

- Pamela Jain is a Specialist Prosecutor with the CPS Specialist Fraud Division

- Ian Paterson was convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and three counts of unlawful wounding.

Statement following sentencing of John Earle for indecent assaults in 1950s and 60s

Alison Longhorn, from the CPS, said:

“John Earle took advantage of his young victim for his own sexual gratification. He was charged with serious and prolonged abuse against one of the very people he had a duty of care for in his role as deputy head teacher. We worked closely with the police to build a strong case and faced with the evidence against him, Earle pleaded guilty.

“Earle’s offending has had a lifelong impact on his victim, to whom I would like to express my appreciation. Without him this prosecution would not have been possible. He has displayed immense courage during the investigation and prosecution of this case and I hope the sentence imposed today brings him some comfort.

“These offences took place more than 50 years ago but regardless of when crimes are committed the CPS will always prosecute when there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so.”

Notes to Editors

·         Alison Longhorn is a District Crown Prosecutor with CPS South-West

·         John Earle, 87, pleaded guilty six counts of indecent assault against a male at Exeter Crown Court on 29 March 2017. The charges relate to offences committed between 1957 and 1961

·         Earle, of Devon, was sentenced to four years imprisonment at Exeter Crown Court today (28 April 2017)

Four men and a woman sentenced for child sexual exploitation

Four men and one woman have today (April 28) been given prison sentences of between three and 15 years, for offences involving child sexual exploitation.

Brothers, Christopher, 23, Matthew, 25, and Shane Whiteley, 30 were found guilty at an earlier hearing, of multiple sexual offences including rape, sexual assault against a child under 13 and conspiracy to arrange child prostitution and theft.

Appearing alongside them at Sheffield Crown Court were Amanda Spencer, 26, and Taleb Bapir, 39, who were respectively found guilty of four counts of arranging child prostitution and rape.

The brothers and their associates targeted vulnerable young girls in the Sheffield area between 2005 and 2012.  

The girls were given drink, drugs and gifts, before being forced to have sex with members of the group and strangers.   They were also threatened and subjected to violence

 

Peter Mann, from the CPS, said: 

“These defendants cynically targeted and sexually exploited young and vulnerable girls. The suffering the victims must have endured is hard to comprehend.

“This case was a complex one. With the victims’ assistance the CPS was able to build a strong prosecution case against these defendants, resulting in today’s sentences.”

 

--ENDS--

 

Notes to editors

1. Peter Mann is Head of the Complex Casework Unit at CPS Yorkshire and Humberside.

2. Sentences:

Christopher Whiteley: 15 years in prison.

Taleb Bapir: 10 years in prison.

Shane Whiteley: 8 years in prison.

Matthew Whiteley: 7 years in prison.

Amanda Spencer: 3 years in prison