GP Manish Shah Jailed for Life Over Sick Sex Attacks
Manish Shah, 50, of Romford, has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 15 years behind bars. The Old Bailey sentenced Shah on Friday, 7 February, after he was found guilty of multiple sexual offences against 24 women.
Serial Sexual Predator Exploited Patients
Shah was convicted of nine counts of sexual assault and 16 counts of sexual assault by penetration linked to six women after a six-week trial that ended in December 2019. He was also found guilty of 65 separate offences involving 18 other women in a previous trial wrapped up in December 2018. All charges relate to attacks committed between 2009 and 2013 while Shah worked as a GP at Mawney Medical Centre in east London.
The victims were aged 15 to 32 at the time. Shah tricked his patients by ordering unnecessary breast and vaginal exams, often warning of urgent risks like cervical and breast cancer. The court heard he used celebrity stories to push these invasive checks. Shah was “overfamiliar” with female patients, making inappropriate comments, touching them inappropriately, and even hugging and kissing them without consent.
How Shah’s Crimes Came to Light
Shah’s abuse emerged in July 2013 when four women reported sexual assaults to the medical centre. Police launched a thorough investigation, interviewing 139 women from Shah’s patient list. Many supported the prosecution. Shah was arrested in September 2013, but the probe uncovered even more victims.
Detective Superintendent Tara McGovern said: “Shah was a long-serving doctor trusted and liked by his patients. The judge rightly called him a ‘master of deception’. His victims had no idea he was using bogus medical excuses to carry out invasive exams for his own sexual pleasure.”
She added: “These are serious offences, abusing both his patients and his position as a family doctor. The convictions reflect a complex, sensitive investigation supported by NHS England. We thank the brave women who came forward—without their testimony, Shah might never have faced justice.”
Support and Advice for Victims
NHS England has set up a dedicated helpline for anyone concerned about this case or wanting to speak up. You can call 0800 011 4253 for confidential support.
