Former Stevenage GP sentenced for sexually assaulting 'vulnerable patient'
50 year old Angus Brooke pleaded guilty to inciting sexual activity with a mentally disordered person
A former doctor from Stevenage has been sentenced after admitting sexually assaulting a vulnerable patient.
Angus Brooke, aged 50, who previously lived in Stevenage and worked as a GP at the Knebworth and Marymead Medical Practice pleaded guilty to inciting sexual activity with a mentally disordered person.
At St Albans Crown Court on Friday (4/11), he was sentenced to seven months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay the victim £2,500, added to the sexual offences register and has to adhere to a curfew between 8pm and 6am daily. If he breaches these conditions, he could be sent to prison.
Brooke, who now lives in Park Lane, Stockport, has been unable to practise medicine in the UK for the last five years, while the General Medical Council has also been investigating.
His sentencing follows a lengthy and complex investigation led by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist Safeguarding Adults from Abuse (SAFA) department who worked with specialist agencies to investigate Brooke.
“Brooke is a highly manipulative and selfish man, who used his position as a doctor to gain the trust of a vulnerable woman,” explained Detective Sergeant Helen Wise, who was the investigating officer on the case.
“The impact of his actions has had a devastating effect on her and I can only commend her bravery in supporting our police investigation. We worked extremely hard to get justice for her and make sure she was protected from further harm.”
Brooke was arrested on 3 May 2019. He originally pleaded not guilty to the charge, but later changed his plea to guilty.
The court heard that at the beginning of June 2017, the victim went to the surgery as the last appointment of the day. Brooke told reception staff he would close the surgery. Once alone with the victim he then sexually abused her. Around this time Brooke sent her text messages pressurising her to spend time with him.
The judge thanked the victim for her bravery in coming forward. HHJ Sandeep Kainth said: “You are Mr as opposed to doctor, you committed a massive and considerable breach of trust…. Your job was to protect and assist those in difficulty, not to take advantage... Clearly you are the author of your own misfortune… You knew full well the vulnerabilities of the victim”.