Former Birmingham surgeon struck off for causing harm to boys in 'unsafe, unsanitary' circumcisions

A former surgeon, who was struck off the UK medical register in 2015 while working at Southampton General Hospital, was convicted on Tuesday of causing actual bodily harm, child cruelty and administering prescription-only medication to several young and vulnerable patients, for ignoring basic hygiene rules in performing home circumcisions and showing a disregard to patients' health, safety and comfort.

Dr Mohammad Siddiqui, 56, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty on Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court to a total of 25 offences, which included 12 counts of actual bodily harm, five counts of cruelty to a child and eight counts of administering prescription-only medicines contrary to the law.

Between June 2012 and November 2013, Siddiqui ran a private mobile circumcision service.

He was working as a clinical fellow in paediatric surgery at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, and in his capacity was able to source the anaesthetic, Bupivacaine Hydrochloride.

As part of his private circumcision service, he was travelling around the UK and by appointment, performed non-therapeutic circumcisions on young male patients up to the age of 14.

Anja Hohmeyer, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Siddiqui practised these circumcising acts in an unsafe and unsanitary environment and so meted out painful cruelty to children leaving them with emotional and physical scars.

"He showed a complete disregard for the impact of his actions on his victims, families, and communities. We hope that this conviction offers some comfort in seeing Siddiqui being brought to justice."

In 2015, Siddiqui was struck off the General Medical Council Register after a panel of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found him guilty of failure to perform non-therapeutic male circumcisions in the homes of four babies.

After being struck off, Siddiqui continued to operate his mobile circumcision service. He was able to do so because non-therapeutic male circumcision is unregulated and is not required to be carried out by a medical practitioner.

However, Siddiqui continued to use Bupivacaine in unsafe circumstances and continued to carry out the circumcisions in unsafe, unsanitary and harmful ways, demonstrating a disregard for the safety of his young patients.

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to performing a catalogue of unsafe and unhygienic procedures and causing unnecessary pain and suffering.

Detective Chief Superintendent, Fiona Bitters, from Hampshire and Isle of White Constabulary, said: "This has been a complex investigation driven by the desire to secure justice for and safeguard children. Siddiqui’s pleas at this stage in his trial demonstrate the strength of the case that we had brought to the court with evidence relating to a number of victims having already been presented.

"Our investigation related to Siddiqui’s criminal actions whilst undertaking circumcision procedures and was not concerned with the practice of circumcision itself.

“I hope his pleas today help to bring some comfort to his victims who have had to wait many years to see justice served for his actions."