Doctor admits to sex attacks against 18 children
A children’s doctor in England has pleaded guilty to a string of sexual offences against cancer sufferers in his care aged as young as 11.
Dr Myles Bradbury pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault and 13 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The 41-year-old paediatric haematologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court today.
Wearing a dark suit and blue tie, Bradbury also pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism and two counts of making indecent images of a child.
The offences involved 18 complainants, prosecutor John Farmer said. They date back to 2009.
Bradbury was bailed and told he would have to sign the sex offenders register.
He pleaded not guilty to a count of sexual activity with a child and a count of sexual assault.
Judge Gareth Hawkesworth said these two offences will probably remain on file.
A sentencing date was not given but the judge said Bradbury could expect a “substantial” custodial sentence.
As he left court, Bradbury told reporters: "I'm so sorry.'' He refused to answer further questions.
Dr Keith McNeil, chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Addenbrooke's, said: ``It is hard to put into words just how saddened we are that this situation has occurred, and our most abject and sincere apologies go out to any and all of our patients and their families who are affected by this in any way.
“As chief executive of the trust, I am so deeply sorry these incidents have happened and I am also deeply saddened, as a doctor, that one of my own profession has placed himself and his patients in this position. There is a very ancient and sacred trust that exists between a doctor and his patients and, quite frankly, it sickens me to think that trust has been breached.”
Ann-Marie Ingle, the trust’s chief nurse said: “I cannot begin to express how sorry I and all of my colleagues are for the distress that Myles Bradbury’s abuse caused to patients and their families. Our thoughts, and ongoing support, are with the families and children who are affected by these charges.
“His cold and calculating abuse of trust has deeply shocked us all, including staff who worked alongside him to care for these vulnerable and sick children. As soon as we were alerted, we took immediate action to suspend him from clinical practice and we have worked closely with the police and the NSPCC over these past months.
“The actions of one individual should not taint the public’s trust in the NHS and the care it provides. I would like to reassure patients and families that our staff working in children’s services here at Cambridge University Hospital continue to provide the care which our patients expect and can rely on.”
