Psychologist sentenced for abuse

Kenworthy held a senior position at Tameside General Hospital

A clinical psychologist who indecently assaulted "vulnerable" female patients has been given a suspended prison term.

Reginald Kenworthy, 76, of Stocks Lane, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, used shock aversion on the women's genitalia during the assaults in the 1980s.

Kenworthy was head of clinical psychology at Tameside General Hospital from 1972 until 1992, when he retired.

At Minshull Street Crown Court he received two concurrent one-year sentences, suspended for two years.

The court earlier heard Kenworthy had also asked his victims personal questions about their sex lives, before using the shock aversion therapy.

This sentence will bring me closure and hopefully do the same for his other victims Victim, 43

Following the sentencing on Thursday, one of his victims, a 46-year-old woman from Denton, said Kenworthy had "taken away part of her life".

"I never believed that a man working in his position in a hospital could be so evil," she said.

"I'm pleased that, even though a number of years have passed, he has finally been brought to justice."

Another victim, a 48-year-old woman from Audenshaw, explained she was "depending" on Kenworthy to get her life back together.

"I was suffering from depression and panic attacks and, for the sake of my two young children, I would have done anything to help me get well," she said.

"Even after I stopped seeing him, I never thought to report Kenworthy to the police. It didn't occur to me that a man in his position could have been doing anything wrong.

'Great distress'

"This sentence will bring me closure and hopefully do the same for his other victims."

Following his conviction in October, Det Con Diane Backler, of Greater Manchester Police, said Kenworthy had abused his position.

"These women put their trust in Kenworthy, many of them were referred to him by their GP," she said.

"His actions have caused the victims a great deal of distress and I'm sure they will be relieved he has finally been brought to justice."