A former doctor has appeared in court to face multiple charges of sexual assault involving hospital patients, including minors.
Nathaniel Spencer, from Hockley in Birmingham, is accused of committing 45 sexual offences against 38 female patients between 2017 and 2021. The alleged incidents are said to have taken place at Royal Stoke University Hospital and Russells Hall Hospital.
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According to the charges, several of the alleged victims were under the age of 13 at the time of the incidents.
Spencer appeared before Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday for a hearing lasting about 45 minutes. During the proceedings, he spoke only to confirm his name and was not asked to enter a plea.
The court heard that the charges against Spencer include 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13, and one count of attempted assault by penetration.
Spencer was formally charged in December following what Staffordshire Police described as a complex investigation into allegations of sexual assaults involving patients.
Presiding over the hearing, Sally Hancox, the Recorder of Stoke-on-Trent, renewed the defendant’s conditional bail. She told the court that it would not be practical for the trial to take place in Stoke-on-Trent and that efforts were being made to identify a suitable venue within the Midlands court circuit.
The judge informed Spencer that further details regarding the location, schedule, and timetable of the trial would be considered at the next hearing. If necessary, formal pleas may be entered during that session.
Spencer is due to return to court for another pre-trial hearing on a date yet to be fixed.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
