'Predatory' senior doctor avoids jail after sexually assaulting two female members of staff at Welsh hospital

A senior has avoided jail after he abused his position and power in order to two female members of staff at a .

Naleen Thota, 55, from attacked his victims while they were on duty at the Swansea's Morriston Hospital, where he worked as a senior doctor in the intensive care unit. Thota, of Keepers Close, Penllergaer, denied any wrongdoing and the matter went to trial.

heard statements from the two victims, with one saying how he "wielded his position of power like a weapon to hurt me and silence me". One victim also said she was afraid she would not be believed if she reported the assault and felt isolated and scared.

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She said the "violation" at the hands of Thota took her "to a very dark place" but said the guilty verdicts of the jury had restored her belief that if you speak up, people will believe you. In her statement, the second victim described the defendant's behaviour as "predatory and calculating" and said he had sought out and groomed his victims. She said Thota presented a "friendly façade" to fellow doctors which hid his true nature, and she said she had sought counselling to try to deal with what he did to her, reports

Judge Catherine Richards said the two complainants had shown "enormous courage and strength" in reporting the assaults and in giving evidence against the defendant in court. She told Thota: "These offences were born out of the exercise of power that was used against these women without regard to the impact on them".

Judge Richards noted the defendant's seniority in the hospital and his reputation among colleagues but said it was exactly those factors which made Thota think that he could get away with his behaviour, and she called it a "gross and calculated abuse of power and position". She told Thota he had brought shame and disgrace on his family.

The jury returned guilty verdicts and Thota was sentenced to 21 months in prison suspended for two years and was ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work and to complete a rehabilitation course. He was also made the subject of 10-year restraining orders. Thota will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years.

Sergeant Danielle Thorne said: "Naleen Thota abused his position as a senior doctor at Morriston Hospital. On two separate occasions, he ensured that he and his victims were alone together and that nobody could see what he was doing.

"This was predatory behaviour which has left his victims with a huge impact to their mental health. Both victims showed tremendous courage in coming forward and reporting Naleen Thota’s actions, and we hope that they feel some comfort that he has now been found guilty and sentenced."