Doctor 'touched women's breasts'

Dr Azim has denied the allegations against him

A doctor at a hospital in Liverpool has been accused of indecently touching the breasts of three nursing assistants and making inappropriate comments.

Dr Waqar Azim is alleged to have also touched a colleague's groin as he checked her neck for lumps while he worked at University Hospital Aintree.

The five complainants, known as Ms A, B, C, D and E, worked at the hospital during 2005 and 2006.

Dr Azim has denied the allegations before the General Medical Council.

Ms A told the panel that she "felt sick" after he felt her breast twice in the space of two years.

The first time, she said, occurred during a discussion about the fob watch she wore pinned to her uniform.

After asking her how she read the time, the doctor allegedly lifted the fob watch and, in the process, brushed his hand over her breast.

Pornographic websites

They had been discussing dieting during the second incident, the panel heard, and Dr Azim took hold of Ms A's breast and said there was "nothing wrong" with her.

Ms A told the panel: "I didn't want to believe it was intentional because you don't want to believe things like that, but in my heart I knew."

Ms B and Ms D have also alleged that he touched their breasts.

The panel heard how the doctor asked one nursing assistant, Ms C, if she used pornographic websites, and told a pregnant colleague, Ms E, that he could tell she was expecting a baby "from the warmth of your underneath when you sat on my knee at the Christmas party".

Dr Azim has admitted examining Ms D's neck for lumps and placing his hand under her left and right arm during the examination.

He does not accept the other allegations made against him.

The hearing continues.