A GP has been jailed for sexually abusing two of his female patients. Dr Wayne Sefton Davis, who was described as ‘highly respected’ in the community, carried out the sick acts in the 1990s and 2000s.
He conducted ‘invasive’ examinations with no medical basis, a court heard. Davis denied all wrongdoing, but following two trials he was found guilty of indecent assault and assault by penetration.
Reporting restrictions were imposed following the first trial, meaning it could not be reported that he had been found guilty of the offences. However, following the conclusion of a retrial, he was acquitted of another offence.
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At a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, January 13, it was decided that the case can be fully reported after an application by our sister site, The Manchester Evening News.
Vanessa Thomson, prosecuting, said that the victims were from the Orthodox Jewish community and “were not brought up learning about sex and sexual behaviours at school as might be expected in secular society”.
The court heard how the women had limited knowledge and put their complete trust in a respected man they had been told ‘knew best’, which provided ‘fertile ground’ for Davis to abuse each of them.
The first complainant said she went to see the doctor in the 2000s after complaining of pain in her genitals. She claimed the doctor, 67, made a ‘highly inappropriate comment’, before using his fingers to ‘stretch’ her vagina.
Ms Thomson said: “She had no idea what was happening. “In her words to the police, she thought it was bananas what he was doing.”
She said that the doctor sexually assaulted her again by touching her genitals. The prosecuter added: “She said that she felt traumatised by the whole experience.” The complainant was ‘haunted’ by what she said happened to her, she added.
The woman later reported her allegations to police. Jurors were told that a gynaecologist described the practice of ‘stretching’ as a ‘bizarre concept with no grounding in gynaecological practice’.
After details of Dr Davis’ arrest were made public, another woman came forward to report that she had been abused by him in the 1990s. She said she went to the doctor after experiencing an issue with her genitals.
Knwon as Woman B, she said that the doctor inserted his finger into her vagina which felt ‘uncomfortable’ but she trusted the doctor. The complainant said the examination had ‘stayed with her all these years’ and that it had left her feeling ’embarrassed and humiliated’.
Prosecutors said the examination was carried out ‘without any medical basis’. In a victim personal statement, the first complainant said: “Dr Davis’ actions greatly affected my faith and ability to trust people. Especially doctors.
“This has been and continues to be a very heavy burden on me.” She added that her marriage had come to an end as a result of the abuse, and she had suffered mental, physical and emotional pain.
In brief mitigation, Sarah Elliott KC said Dr Davis was highly respected in the community. She added that he had been in custody for over a year since the convictions.
Jailing Davis for eight years, Judge Peter Horgan said: “Your convictions vividly demonstrate how you abused the trust placed in you by those ladies and your community. You decided to do what you wanted without regard.”
Dr Davis, of Old Hall Road, Salford, was also made subject of the Sex Offenders Register for life. Gill Petrovic, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West’s rape and serious sexual offence unit, said: “Wayne Davis was in a position of trust as a doctor and a highly respected man within the community.
“He abused his position to commit sexual offences against women under his care. The CPS worked with Greater Manchester Police to support the women through the prosecution.
“We applied to the court for special measures so the women could give their evidence in the best way for them, so they did not have to face the man who had abused them. I would like to thank the women for supporting the prosecution and hope they can move forward knowing Davis has now been sentenced.
“I hope this case will give other survivors of sexual abuse the confidence to come forward. It is never too late to seek justice.”
The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK.
Their services work with victims and survivors of all ages, all genders, of all forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, including support for partners and family members.
If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, you can call the free helpline on 08088 010 818.
Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP)
The Rape and Sexual Violence Project – covering Birmingham and Solihull – offers a wide range of services to both survivors and the people supporting you, including compassionate support for male survivors and children and young people.
You can contact the RSVP for free support via their helpline 0121 643 4136 or info@rsvporg.co.uk.
West Midlands Police
If you wish to report a sexual offence, no matter when it took place, you can find out more information here.
If you are in immediate danger, always call 999.