Doctor in court to face 45 sex assault charges

A former doctor has appeared in court to face charges of sexual assault against hospital patients, including children.

Nathaniel Spencer, from Hockley, Birmingham, is accused of 45 sexual offences against 38 female patients at Royal Stoke University Hospital and Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, between 2017 and 2021.

Some of the patients over whom he is accused were under 13 at the time of the alleged offences.

Spencer spoke only to confirm his name and was not required to enter pleas during the 45-minute hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday.

The defendant will return to court for another pre-trial hearing at a date to be fixed.

Spencer was charged in December after what Staffordshire Police said had been a complex investigation into alleged sexual assaults on patients.

He faces 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration and one count of attempted assault by penetration.

Renewing Spencer's conditional bail, the Recorder of Stoke-on-Trent, Judge Sally Hancox told the court it was not practical for the trial in the case to take place in the city.

She said she had spoken with those in charge of the Midlands court circuit in seeking a suitable location for the trial and told Spencer: "At the next hearing further consideration will be given to the location, timing and timetable of the trial, and if necessary arraignment will take place."

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