Anaesthetist who sexually assaulted girl struck off

An anaesthetist who sexually assaulted a young girl who was in hospital for an operation and took intimate pictures of patients has been struck off the medical register.

Edward Finn, 36, worked as a doctor across a number of hospitals in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

His offending was uncovered when a family member found an iPad they had intended to hand to a child, but discovered images of naked children.

Finn was jailed for eight years at Nottingham Crown Court last year.

Following a virtual hearing that lasted two days, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service decided to erase Finn from the medical register.

In June last year, a judge described him as a "predatory paedophile" as he handed out his sentence.

A police investigation found some of the images were found to relate to the genitals of an unidentified woman who was being treated at the Royal Derby Hospital.

Further images showed the sexual assault of a young girl who was at King's Mill Hospital in Nottinghamshire for an operation.

The court was told nearly 4,000 indecent images of children - aged between 12 months and 14 years - were also found, including 179 in the most serious category, as well as voyeuristic images of women.

In victim impact statements read out in court, one family member of the defendant said their life "has been ripped apart", while a parent of one of the victims said they "still struggle to come to terms with the nature of these crimes against our daughter".

Finn pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of making indecent photographs of children, three counts of taking indecent photographs of children, and two counts of voyeurism.

On top of his sentence, Finn must also serve four years on extended licence, will be on the sex offenders register for life, and will be subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.

Following the sentencing, Dr Simon Roe, acting medical director of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs King's Mill Hospital, offered an "unreserved apology" to the girl and her family.

Dr Gis Robinson, executive chief medical officer for University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Royal Derby Hospital, said they were "appalled that Finn abused his position in this way on our premises".

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust said Finn was suspended as soon as the initial allegations were made and that he no longer worked for the trust.

Chief executive Anthony May said: "While we know these offences did not involve NUH patients, we have worked closely with police throughout their investigation.

"Our focus now is to care for those colleagues who have felt the effects of this case."

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