RASHID SANDHU FROM GORLESTON AND WELLING SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Gorleston and Welling, Rashid Sandhu, a 30-year-old doctor, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following a series of serious criminal offenses. Sandhu, who was employed at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl during a medical consultation. Despite his denial of the allegations, the court heard compelling evidence that painted a disturbing picture of manipulation and predatory behavior.

According to court proceedings, the incident took place last June when the young girl, accompanied by a friend, visited the hospital's accident and emergency department. The girls were reportedly concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, prompting their visit. During the consultation, Sandhu claimed to be performing an abortion but instead engaged in indecent conduct towards the 13-year-old patient. Jurors were informed that Sandhu touched her inappropriately while making false assurances about her health status.

Further details revealed that Sandhu had previously admitted to possessing indecent images of young girls on his laptop. The police investigation uncovered that he had more than 170 indecent images of children stored on his computer, highlighting a disturbing pattern of behavior. The court was told that Sandhu had taken steps to conceal his misconduct by ensuring no medical records were created during the incident, using a staff entrance to avoid detection.

During the sentencing, Judge Simon Barham condemned Sandhu’s actions, describing them as the gravest abuse of a patient. The judge emphasized the manipulative and predatory nature of Sandhu’s conduct, noting that he was aware of the girl’s vulnerability and had carefully planned the assault. Sandhu was also sentenced to an additional six months, to run concurrently, for the possession of indecent images.

In mitigation, lawyer John Donnolly described Sandhu’s background, stating, “It’s a tragedy. He is from an especially hard-working military family in Pakistan.” He further acknowledged that Sandhu’s medical career was now effectively over, describing it as “almost inevitable.”

As part of his sentence, Sandhu was banned indefinitely from working with children, a measure aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals from potential harm in the future. The case has left a lasting impact on the communities of Gorleston and Welling, raising concerns about safeguarding and the importance of vigilance in medical settings.