GP 'indecently assaulted' patients

Dr Carman qualified in Australia and came to Britain in 1983

A family doctor indecently assaulted women patients during examinations at his surgery, a court has heard.

Phillip Carman, is alleged to have squeezed their breasts, touched them inappropriately and tried to kiss them.

Dr Carman, 50, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, denies 10 counts of indecently assaulting eight different women between 1983 and 2001.

The offences are alleged to have occurred at the Stafford Place surgery in the town, where Dr Carman was a partner.

It's about rather a doctor who perhaps, you may well conclude, simply could not resist his own sexual urge Richard Smith QC

A jury of eight women and four men at Bristol Crown Court heard the offences took place for Carman's "own personal gratification".

Opening the prosecution case, Richard Smith QC said: "This case is not about the necessary and about the proper.

"It's about rather a doctor who perhaps, you may well conclude, simply could not resist his own sexual urge or inclination to exploit the opportunity of being able to touch women during examinations."

Mr Smith said Dr Carman's actions had "everything to do with indecency and nothing to do with helping the women".

The general practitioner qualified in Australia before coming to England and starting at Stafford Place surgery in 1983.

He became a partner three years later.

Mr Smith said Dr Carman was a well-qualified, personable professional but this trial was about a "completely different side to Dr Carmen, a side that was only witnessed by those in the privacy of his consulting rooms".

The trial continues.