Doctor and ex-Northampton Saints captain allegedly '˜stroked teenager's breasts' during examination at his Northampton surgery, tribunal hears

A doctor allegedly touched a 16-year-old girl inappropriately at his surgery in Northampton and told her '˜you have nice-shaped breasts', it has been claimed.
Dr Jonathan Raphael, pictured here in 2008Dr Jonathan Raphael, pictured here in 2008
Dr Jonathan Raphael, pictured here in 2008

Dr Jon Raphael - who captained the Saints in the 1980s and is still listed as a club director - is alleged by the General Medical Council to have acted inappropriately towards the girl in May 2014 at The Mounts surgery.

He had been asked to help the teenager with period problems but he instead pulled down her bra and squeezed her breasts, it was claimed at a hearing in Manchester today.

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The married 64-year-old also allegedly made a series of lewd remarks to the youngster including: “Women are never happy with their breasts” and “women are always complaining that their breast either too big or two small”.

Other alleged comments included: “You have nice healthy breast tissue” and “your breasts will grow when you put on weight”.

Police were called in after the girl told her mother what happened but, although Dr Raphael was questioned under caution, officers took no action against him and the case was referred to the GMC.

The teenager - known as Patient B - had been concerned at missing her period but Dr Raphael failed to explore her menstrual cycle history prior to February 2014.

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He also did not ask the girl any questions about stress and anxiety and conducted an examination of her abdomen and breasts without giving an reason, asking her permission or offering her a chaperone, it was said.

Dr Raphael furthermore failed to carry out a pregnancy test, take blood tests scans or even document the girl’s weight or height.

Instead Raphael was said to have unnecessarily lifted up Patient B’s trousers and underwear and touched an intimate area.

Rachel Smith, counsel for the GMC, told the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service: “It’s alleged that the doctor failed to conduct an appropriate assessment or investigation in respect of Patient B. It’s also alleged that during the course of the consultation the doctor carried out actions that were sexually motivated.

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“She was sufficiently concerned that this experience fell outside her experience of like consultations with other practitioners that she spoke to her mother about the consultation.

“Her mother is also a patient at the practice. She also spoke to her partner. As a result of her concerns she contacted the police and on the day after the appointment the police conducted a video recorded interview.”

Dr Raphael denies misconduct relating to Patient B and also denies failing another patient who had kidney problems.

The hearing was told Dr Raphael attempted to strike himself off the medical register voluntarily - but his request was declined by the GMC on the basis of public interest.