Plastic surgeon cleared of indecency

A top plastic surgeon has been cleared of indecently assaulting patients during medical examinations.

Aivar Bracka was yesterday found not guilty of six counts of indecent assault on five patients, including teenagers, at the former Wordsley Hospital during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The jury of seven women and four men returned the verdicts at Wolverhampton Crown Court after deliberating for nearly nine hours in total.

Bracka, aged 59, of Balmoral Road, Wordsley, looked visibly relieved after all six not guilty verdicts were returned.

Today a spokesman from Dudley's Russell Hall Hospital confirmed talks were being held about his return to work there.

The surgeon, who featured in the television documentary Trust Me, I'm a Doctor in the late 90s, has been allowed to continue to practice and complete planned operations with conditions laid down by the General Medical Council following the allegations. Patients gave their permission prior to treatment and Bracka was chaperoned when carrying out procedures which had already been scheduled.

During the court hearing, which had entered a fifth week, the pioneering consultant was accused by the prosecution of abusing his status as a world leader in reconstructive surgery to assault several patients, predominantly teenage boys.

The crown alleged Bracka went far beyond what could be described as a legitimate medical examination.

But yesterday as he walked from court his solicitor Ian Sadler said the surgeon was "delighted and relieved" to be cleared.

He said: "This has been a very distressing time for Mr Bracka. He's looking forward to putting the matter behind him and focusing on continuing to provide a very high standard of care. He would like to thank all those who have supported him." A hearing by the General Medical Council will follow soon.