Former Birmingham surgeon sacked for harming boys with ‘unsafe and unsanitary’ circumcisions

The former surgeon, who was struck off the UK medical register in 2015 while working at Southampton General Hospital, was found guilty on Tuesday of causing bodily harm, child abuse and prescribing prescription drugs to several young and vulnerable patients for ignoring basic hygiene rules. rules when performing home circumcision and showing disregard for the health, safety and comfort of patients.

Dr Mohammad Siddiqui, 56, from Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday to a total of 25 offenses, including 12 counts of actual bodily harm, five counts of child cruelty and eight counts of administering prescription drugs contrary to regulations . law.

From June 2012 to November 2013, Siddiqui ran a private mobile circumcision service.

He worked as a clinical fellow in pediatric surgery at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and in his capacity was able to discover the anesthetic, bupivacaine hydrochloride.

As part of his private circumcision service, he traveled throughout the UK and performed non-therapeutic circumcisions by appointment on young male patients under the age of 14 years.

Anya Homeyer, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Siddiqui practiced these acts of circumcision in an unsafe and unsanitary environment and in doing so committed painful cruelty to children, leaving them with emotional and physical scars.

“He demonstrated complete disregard for the consequences of his actions on his victims, families and communities. We hope this verdict will bring some comfort that Siddiqui will face justice.”

In 2015, Siddiqui was struck off the General Medical Council’s register after a panel of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal found him guilty of failing to carry out non-therapeutic male circumcision in the homes of four infants.

After his expulsion, Siddiqui continued to operate his mobile circumcision service. He was able to do this because non-therapeutic male circumcision is not regulated and does not have to be performed by a medical practitioner.

However, Siddiqui continued to use bupivacaine in unsafe circumstances and continued to perform circumcisions in unsafe, unsanitary and harmful ways, demonstrating a disregard for the safety of his young patients.

He pleaded guilty Tuesday to performing a series of unsafe and unsanitary procedures and causing unnecessary pain and suffering.

Chief Superintendent Fiona Bitters, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police, said: “This was a complex investigation driven by a desire to ensure justice and protect children. Siddiqui’s motions at this stage of the trial demonstrate the strength of the case. which we presented to the court along with evidence already presented concerning a number of victims.

“Our investigation focused on Siddiqui’s criminal conduct during the circumcision procedure and did not address the practice of circumcision itself.

“I hope his pleas today will help bring some comfort to his victims who have had to wait many years to see justice for his actions.”