Girl patients ‘raped by children’s doctor’

A DOCTOR raped and molested girl patients for 15 years, believing he was “bomb-proof”, a court heard yesterday.

Michael Salmon arriving at courtINS

Michael Salmon arriving at court

Michael Salmon preyed on victims aged 11 to 18 and was sure he would get away with it, a jury was told. The respected consultant paediatrician, was convinced no one would take a child’s word against his, it was alleged.

One alleged victim was aged 12 to 14 when she was allegedly raped by Salmon and two other men in hospital. He is also said to have raped a teenager after performing an illegal abortion at his home.

Salmon, 79, worked at various hospitals including Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, which has been linked to the sex crimes of pervert DJ Jimmy Savile. But Miranda Moore QC, prosecuting, told the jury there was no suggestion that Salmon and Savile acted together.

Salmon is accused of raping or assaulting eight girls between 1973 and 1988 while a paediatrician in Buckinghamshire. Parents were charmed by him and young patients were encouraged to call him Uncle Mike.

But when adults were out of the room or behind a screen, he groped and molested girls, Reading Crown Court heard. Salmon would fondle their breasts while claiming to be checking their heart rate, Ms Moore told the jury.

He also carried out intimate examinations when there was no need for them, she added. The doctor was struck off in 1991 after an earlier conviction for indecently assaulting young female patients.

Married Salmon, of Salisbury, Wiltshire, denies three counts of rape, 11 of indecent assault and two of using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage. Interviewed by police, he dismissed one allegation as “rubbish, absolute nonsense” and described his accusers as “gold diggers”.

She was taken to a room with three men in and they all had sexual intercourse with her

Ms Moore

He allegedly told officers: “I’m speechless. I’ve never in my life raped anyone.”

Ms Moore said: “This defendant took the opportunity given to him by his status as a respected doctor to molest young women, some of whom were little more than children.”

One alleged victim had neurofi bromatosis, a genetic condition which causes tumours, the court heard. She was told to call the doctor Uncle Mike and pose naked for pictures for a “medical journal,” it was alleged.

The girl, who was 12 or 14 at the time, was told by a man at Stoke Mandeville to be “good” for Salmon, said Ms Moore.

The prosecutor went on: “When she was in hospital, the defendant pulled the curtains around the bed and touched her breasts.

“She remembers being given something to drink by Michael Salmon and feeling woozy. She was taken to a room with three men in and they all had sexual intercourse with her.

“She was taken back to bed in a wheelchair.” Salmon also allegedly raped a 16-year-old at his then home when she told him she feared she was pregnant.

After performing an operation, he raped her, saying “one favour deserves another,” Ms Moore told the jury. The trial continues. 

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