A trainee doctor has been charged with multiple sex offences including the sexual assault of four women and one count of making child sex images.

Kamran Ali, 38, of Glendale Gardens, Leigh, was charged on October 27 with seven counts of sexual assault.

The charges relate to offences involving four women between September and November 2016.

He has also been charged with one count of making indecent photographs of children and possession of an extreme pornographic image.

The General Medical Council has confirmed that Ali, who studied at the University of Karachi according to the registry, has been suspended since June 9 as part of an investigation.

A spokesman said: “Kamran Ali has been given an interim suspension while we carry out an investigation.

“In cases involving criminal elements, we would always wait for the outcome of those proceedings before we conclude our procedure.”

Prior to his suspension, Ali was subject to a list of restrictions as part of the investigation.

The conditions were in place from December 22 last year until his suspension in June.

This included a condition that stated: “Except in life-threatening emergencies, he must not carry out consultations with female patients without a chaperone.”

The GMC spokesman added: “It is a neutral act and it is something we would do to protect patient safety while we investigate.”

Ali is due at Southend Magistrates’ Court on December 11.

Mark Flewitt, Southend councillor responsible for public protection, said: “It is deeply saddening when people who are in positions of trust – such as a doctor – are even alleged to have committed an offence.

“If the allegations are proven true – well then it is deeply troubling.”

NHS England said Ali was a trainee doctor and were unable to confirm where he practised. Health Education England were unavailable for comment.