A DOCTOR from Blackburn - guilty of groping two young female hospital patients - has been kicked out of his profession.

Indecent examinations on two patients, aged 17 and 20, by Dr Shakir Laher, were too serious to be dealt with by any other means than him being struck off, a General Medical Council misconduct panel ruled.

Dr Laher, of Pringle Street, carried out the unnecessary' breast and internal examinations on the patients, named only as A and B, at Warrington Hospital and the Countess of Chester Hospitals in January and July, 2004.

Chairman Roland Doven told Laher: "You have abused your position of trust in relation to Patient A and Patient B, both of whom were particularly vulnerable, given their age and the situation in which they found themselves.

"You undertook indecent examinations of a sexual nature against these two patients under the guise of medical consultations.

"Furthermore you have shown no insight into the seriousness of your actions or their consequences during these proceedings."

The sanction will remain in force even if Dr Laher begins appeal proceedings, the panel also ruled.

The first victim, Patient A, was deeply concerned when Dr Laher began conducting a breast examination on her in January, 2004. She was being treated for severe internal pains.

Dr Laher later performed an internal examination on Patient A, without gloves or a nurse chaperone being present.

Dr Laher was also found to have performed indecent examinations on another young woman, Patient B, at the Countess of Chester Hospital, seven months later.