FAMILY GP Dr Abdullah Hoodbhoy has refuted claims he was "sexually fixated" with his patients' nipples.The 58-year-old is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court accused of 14 charges of indecent assault on nine women during consultations at the Riverside Health Centre in Manningtree.

FAMILY GP Dr Abdullah Hoodbhoy has refuted claims he was "sexually fixated" with his patients' nipples.

The 58-year-old is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court accused of 14 charges of indecent assault on nine women during consultations at the Riverside Health Centre in Manningtree. He denies the allegations.

The prosecution alleges the doctor conducted lengthy breast examinations, ran his hands inside the women's legs and carried out other intimate examinations.

Hoodbhoy, of Long Road West, Dedham, spent yesterday in the witness box being cross-examined by Sir Derek Spencer QC, prosecuting.

The jury of six men and six women heard that Hoodbhoy had intimately examined one patient twice in the space of a week.

She originally went to see him for the contraceptive pill and was given a breast and vaginal examination.

Sir Derek said the woman was "confused" and was not given an explanation for the examination.

Hoodbhoy told the court he had been trying to eliminate pregnancy but did not tell the patient that as he thought the situation might become "confrontational". After the examination he prescribed the contraceptive pill for her.

In court, Hoodbhoy agreed with the prosecution that a very early pregnancy would not have been detected by an internal examination.

On her second visit a week later the patient complained of tonsillitis, the court heard.

Hoodbhoy told the jury he carried out an intimate examination because he suspected the patient may have had thrush.

The case continues today.