Doctor who killed gran is struck off

12:00pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Stephen Hackwell

Dr Aloke Basu Dr Aloke Basu

A DISGRACED GP has been banned from the medical profession after he ran over and killed a great grandmother while his eyesight was “severely impaired”.

Dr Aloke Basu, 67, was jailed for two years and banned from driving for life when he was found guilty of dangerous driving at Basildon Crown Court in May last year.

He has now been forbidden from ever working as a doctor in the UK again after a medical tribunal ruled he was no longer fit to practise.

The verdict, handed down at a special tribunal in Manchester, means Basu will be struck off the General Medical Council’s register.

The GP, of Burges Road, Thorpe Bay, killed Shirley Watkins, 74, after getting behind the wheel, despite knowing he suffered from cataracts in both eyes, chronic glaucoma and short-sightedness.

The Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service hearing ruled his actions had brought the profession into disrepute.

Dr Harvey Marcovitch, who chaired the panel of three which decided Basu’s fate, said: “The panel is satisfied the matters underlying Dr Basu’s conviction involved a serious departure from the standards of behaviour which the public is entitled to expect from a doctor, and diminish the public’s trust in the profession.”

Basu was a highly-respected GP and his trial was packed with supporters, friends and patients who pleaded for leniency.

His defence asked Judge Alice Robinson to spare the GP a custodial sentence because of his impeccable previous character and failing health.

However, despite labelling the public support “extraordinary”, the judge said she had no choice but to jail Basu because of the seriousness of the crime.

The married doctor was also sacked from his job at Shoebury Medical Centre after the criminal investigation ended.

Dr Marcovitch said the tribunal panel was left with no choice but to erase his name from the GMC register.

Unless he appeals, Basu will be struck off 28 days after he is officially informed of the tribunal’s decision.

Dr Marcovitch added: “In the panel’s judgment, Dr Basu’s conduct was fundamentally incompatible with his continuing to be a registered medical practitioner.”

Comments (19)

12:18pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Rich~Carol says...

Absolutley the correct decision. I will be shocked and surprised if anyone will say any different , but in this world there maybe some idiots. What a disgrace to his proffesion, disgusting man.
Absolutley the correct decision. I will be shocked and surprised if anyone will say any different , but in this world there maybe some idiots. What a disgrace to his proffesion, disgusting man. Rich~Carol

12:45pm Mon 10 Sep 12

aduksquack says...

Only two years for killing someone through his own wilful negligence? Should have been a minimum of ten. Sick and tired of seeing people getting light sentences for killing just because they happened to be in a car when they killed.
Only two years for killing someone through his own wilful negligence? Should have been a minimum of ten. Sick and tired of seeing people getting light sentences for killing just because they happened to be in a car when they killed. aduksquack

2:04pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Russ13 says...

aduksquack wrote:
Only two years for killing someone through his own wilful negligence? Should have been a minimum of ten. Sick and tired of seeing people getting light sentences for killing just because they happened to be in a car when they killed.
I would say 2 years for someone who has worked all their life, paid their dues and has in the main, made a positive contribution to society is about right when you consider scumbag-layabouts who break into people homes and steal their hard earned belonings rarely get more than a slap on the writst!
[quote][p][bold]aduksquack[/bold] wrote: Only two years for killing someone through his own wilful negligence? Should have been a minimum of ten. Sick and tired of seeing people getting light sentences for killing just because they happened to be in a car when they killed.[/p][/quote]I would say 2 years for someone who has worked all their life, paid their dues and has in the main, made a positive contribution to society is about right when you consider scumbag-layabouts who break into people homes and steal their hard earned belonings rarely get more than a slap on the writst! Russ13

2:06pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Quis Separabit says...

what he did was in-excusable, all a shame because he was my GP and a very good one too.
what he did was in-excusable, all a shame because he was my GP and a very good one too. Quis Separabit

2:07pm Mon 10 Sep 12

huedash says...

Anyone who puts this man down is an idiot! Best Doctor there has ever been in this area and is responsible for saving the lives of many people and starting the lives of many others.
Yes, it is sad that this lady died, and I am sure that he will live everyday with this regret, but do not come on here saying that you do everything you are suppossed to do by the letter of the law. If you do, you are lying!
Plus you should also remember the whole story of this accident, where it happened and why it happened, It was not just because his eyesight was failing that this lady died.
Anyone who puts this man down is an idiot! Best Doctor there has ever been in this area and is responsible for saving the lives of many people and starting the lives of many others. Yes, it is sad that this lady died, and I am sure that he will live everyday with this regret, but do not come on here saying that you do everything you are suppossed to do by the letter of the law. If you do, you are lying! Plus you should also remember the whole story of this accident, where it happened and why it happened, It was not just because his eyesight was failing that this lady died. huedash

2:12pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Russ13 says...

Totally agree with the 2 above posts.... he was my GP for many years too
Totally agree with the 2 above posts.... he was my GP for many years too Russ13

3:16pm Mon 10 Sep 12

APR says...

What a let off.

He's passed retirement age, so being struck off is totally irrelevant.

What would have happened if he'd been a twenty something, with tattoos ?
What a let off. He's passed retirement age, so being struck off is totally irrelevant. What would have happened if he'd been a twenty something, with tattoos ? APR

3:33pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Russ13 says...

APR wrote:
What a let off. He's passed retirement age, so being struck off is totally irrelevant. What would have happened if he'd been a twenty something, with tattoos ?
We'll never know so it's a bit of a pointless question really......
[quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: What a let off. He's passed retirement age, so being struck off is totally irrelevant. What would have happened if he'd been a twenty something, with tattoos ?[/p][/quote]We'll never know so it's a bit of a pointless question really...... Russ13

4:13pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Basildon_racer says...

Im sure that this man does regret what he has done. Who knows the car journey he was making at the time of the accident could of been to see a patient? Driving to work? Both of these means he was treating someone or potentially saving their lives. It was just a horrible accident. No intent whatsoever. If i was the judge, I would of spared him jail and given him community service. Im sure many people forgive this man. Whats done is done. Cant dwell on the past. Good luck for the future Dr.
Im sure that this man does regret what he has done. Who knows the car journey he was making at the time of the accident could of been to see a patient? Driving to work? Both of these means he was treating someone or potentially saving their lives. It was just a horrible accident. No intent whatsoever. If i was the judge, I would of spared him jail and given him community service. Im sure many people forgive this man. Whats done is done. Cant dwell on the past. Good luck for the future Dr. Basildon_racer

4:59pm Mon 10 Sep 12

aduksquack says...

Basildon_racer wrote:
Im sure that this man does regret what he has done. Who knows the car journey he was making at the time of the accident could of been to see a patient? Driving to work? Both of these means he was treating someone or potentially saving their lives. It was just a horrible accident. No intent whatsoever. If i was the judge, I would of spared him jail and given him community service. Im sure many people forgive this man. Whats done is done. Cant dwell on the past. Good luck for the future Dr.
He knew he had defective eyesight, did nothing about it, and took to the road in his car. As a result of that wilful negligence he KILLED someone.

I don't care how 'respected' someone is, if they KILL someone through their own deliberate negligence - in this case knowingly driving with defective eyesight - they should get ten years minimum.
[quote][p][bold]Basildon_racer[/bold] wrote: Im sure that this man does regret what he has done. Who knows the car journey he was making at the time of the accident could of been to see a patient? Driving to work? Both of these means he was treating someone or potentially saving their lives. It was just a horrible accident. No intent whatsoever. If i was the judge, I would of spared him jail and given him community service. Im sure many people forgive this man. Whats done is done. Cant dwell on the past. Good luck for the future Dr.[/p][/quote]He knew he had defective eyesight, did nothing about it, and took to the road in his car. As a result of that wilful negligence he KILLED someone. I don't care how 'respected' someone is, if they KILL someone through their own deliberate negligence - in this case knowingly driving with defective eyesight - they should get ten years minimum. aduksquack

5:00pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Alec Cikes says...

How sad that this Doctor with an impeccable character during the whole of his working life has been jailed & struck off the register towards the end of his career.
I'm sure he deeply regrets the events that have happened.
Good luck to you for the future, Dr Basu.
How sad that this Doctor with an impeccable character during the whole of his working life has been jailed & struck off the register towards the end of his career. I'm sure he deeply regrets the events that have happened. Good luck to you for the future, Dr Basu. Alec Cikes

5:41pm Mon 10 Sep 12

pendulum says...

Just because you have saved many lives does not make the fact you have taken a life any less serious. It just doesn't work like that. Sticking up for this doctor would be an insult to the victim's family. Regardless of how good a doctor he was, he put everyones life at risk, driving with poor eyesight, when he knew he shouldn't. That's arrogance and it could've been me or you he killed. Regrets don't cut it.
Just because you have saved many lives does not make the fact you have taken a life any less serious. It just doesn't work like that. Sticking up for this doctor would be an insult to the victim's family. Regardless of how good a doctor he was, he put everyones life at risk, driving with poor eyesight, when he knew he shouldn't. That's arrogance and it could've been me or you he killed. Regrets don't cut it. pendulum

6:46pm Mon 10 Sep 12

EssexBoy1968 says...

Basildon_racer wrote:
Im sure that this man does regret what he has done. Who knows the car journey he was making at the time of the accident could of been to see a patient? Driving to work? Both of these means he was treating someone or potentially saving their lives. It was just a horrible accident. No intent whatsoever. If i was the judge, I would of spared him jail and given him community service. Im sure many people forgive this man. Whats done is done. Cant dwell on the past. Good luck for the future Dr.
At the trial it was stated that he was returning from washing his car. It was also stated that he had been advised some considerable time before by his consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital to inform the DVLA of his deteriorating eyesight so that a decision could be made on his continued fitness to drive. The Police also reported that after he hit Mrs Watkins, there was no evidence he reduced his speed at all, indicating that he did not see her, even at the point of impact.
I am sorry that a much-respected GP has had the end of his career marred by such events, but the tribunal did rule that he brought his profession into disrepute, & as such he deserves to be struck off.
[quote][p][bold]Basildon_racer[/bold] wrote: Im sure that this man does regret what he has done. Who knows the car journey he was making at the time of the accident could of been to see a patient? Driving to work? Both of these means he was treating someone or potentially saving their lives. It was just a horrible accident. No intent whatsoever. If i was the judge, I would of spared him jail and given him community service. Im sure many people forgive this man. Whats done is done. Cant dwell on the past. Good luck for the future Dr.[/p][/quote]At the trial it was stated that he was returning from washing his car. It was also stated that he had been advised some considerable time before by his consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital to inform the DVLA of his deteriorating eyesight so that a decision could be made on his continued fitness to drive. The Police also reported that after he hit Mrs Watkins, there was no evidence he reduced his speed at all, indicating that he did not see her, even at the point of impact. I am sorry that a much-respected GP has had the end of his career marred by such events, but the tribunal did rule that he brought his profession into disrepute, & as such he deserves to be struck off. EssexBoy1968

10:45pm Mon 10 Sep 12

APR says...

Russ13 wrote:
APR wrote:
What a let off. He's passed retirement age, so being struck off is totally irrelevant. What would have happened if he'd been a twenty something, with tattoos ?
We'll never know so it's a bit of a pointless question really......
Pointless reply

I was just pointing out that the penalty didn't fit the crime.
[quote][p][bold]Russ13[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: What a let off. He's passed retirement age, so being struck off is totally irrelevant. What would have happened if he'd been a twenty something, with tattoos ?[/p][/quote]We'll never know so it's a bit of a pointless question really......[/p][/quote]Pointless reply I was just pointing out that the penalty didn't fit the crime. APR

6:09am Tue 11 Sep 12

markymark1981 says...

i feel sorry for the lady and her family who were effected.

Dr Basu was my GP and in my eyes was and still is a great man - he made a stupid mistake and i have no doubt he will regret this for the rest of his life.

All the best.
i feel sorry for the lady and her family who were effected. Dr Basu was my GP and in my eyes was and still is a great man - he made a stupid mistake and i have no doubt he will regret this for the rest of his life. All the best. markymark1981

7:15am Tue 11 Sep 12

maywood says...

I had Cateracts.I stopped driving.Reason as above I possibly would have killed somebody,In my opnion it is just the same as takeing a loaded gun and killing somebody.Thanks to Southend Hospital both Cateracts have been removed,no need for glasses to even read now,eyesght prefect,point is if this Doctor was aware of his condition and was advised not to drive he should have taken this advice.Being a perfect Doctor will not bring back the life of the lady he killed.
I had Cateracts.I stopped driving.Reason as above I possibly would have killed somebody,In my opnion it is just the same as takeing a loaded gun and killing somebody.Thanks to Southend Hospital both Cateracts have been removed,no need for glasses to even read now,eyesght prefect,point is if this Doctor was aware of his condition and was advised not to drive he should have taken this advice.Being a perfect Doctor will not bring back the life of the lady he killed. maywood

7:48am Tue 11 Sep 12

Rich~Carol says...

huedash wrote:
Anyone who puts this man down is an idiot! Best Doctor there has ever been in this area and is responsible for saving the lives of many people and starting the lives of many others.
Yes, it is sad that this lady died, and I am sure that he will live everyday with this regret, but do not come on here saying that you do everything you are suppossed to do by the letter of the law. If you do, you are lying!
Plus you should also remember the whole story of this accident, where it happened and why it happened, It was not just because his eyesight was failing that this lady died.
Some of the pathetic posts on this site are strange. They support this vile man and say hes a good doctor, did they also state this with Harold Shipman ? This GP was entitled to have been put in jail without any arguments as its no different with killing someone on drugs or drink, he should not have been behind the wheel. End of argument. 2 years in jail, tagged after a year, he got off lightly.
[quote][p][bold]huedash[/bold] wrote: Anyone who puts this man down is an idiot! Best Doctor there has ever been in this area and is responsible for saving the lives of many people and starting the lives of many others. Yes, it is sad that this lady died, and I am sure that he will live everyday with this regret, but do not come on here saying that you do everything you are suppossed to do by the letter of the law. If you do, you are lying! Plus you should also remember the whole story of this accident, where it happened and why it happened, It was not just because his eyesight was failing that this lady died.[/p][/quote]Some of the pathetic posts on this site are strange. They support this vile man and say hes a good doctor, did they also state this with Harold Shipman ? This GP was entitled to have been put in jail without any arguments as its no different with killing someone on drugs or drink, he should not have been behind the wheel. End of argument. 2 years in jail, tagged after a year, he got off lightly. Rich~Carol

8:28am Tue 11 Sep 12

AndyBSG says...

Russ13 wrote:
aduksquack wrote:
Only two years for killing someone through his own wilful negligence? Should have been a minimum of ten. Sick and tired of seeing people getting light sentences for killing just because they happened to be in a car when they killed.
I would say 2 years for someone who has worked all their life, paid their dues and has in the main, made a positive contribution to society is about right when you consider scumbag-layabouts who break into people homes and steal their hard earned belonings rarely get more than a slap on the writst!
Are you kidding?

So causing someone's death and being responsible for the anguish caused to their family through his own selfishness should just see him get a slap on the wrist just because he's worked hard and paid his taxes!!!

So if he had paid twice as much taxes in his life should his sentence have been halved?

Most ridiculous post I have ever seen on here.

The guy killed someone through his own negligence and will serve just 12 months inside some cushy open prison.

That is NOT justice.
[quote][p][bold]Russ13[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]aduksquack[/bold] wrote: Only two years for killing someone through his own wilful negligence? Should have been a minimum of ten. Sick and tired of seeing people getting light sentences for killing just because they happened to be in a car when they killed.[/p][/quote]I would say 2 years for someone who has worked all their life, paid their dues and has in the main, made a positive contribution to society is about right when you consider scumbag-layabouts who break into people homes and steal their hard earned belonings rarely get more than a slap on the writst![/p][/quote]Are you kidding? So causing someone's death and being responsible for the anguish caused to their family through his own selfishness should just see him get a slap on the wrist just because he's worked hard and paid his taxes!!! So if he had paid twice as much taxes in his life should his sentence have been halved? Most ridiculous post I have ever seen on here. The guy killed someone through his own negligence and will serve just 12 months inside some cushy open prison. That is NOT justice. AndyBSG

2:29pm Tue 11 Sep 12

drofmor1 says...

I don't understand those who are asking if we all make stupid mistakes. Of course we do but driving when your eyesight is impaired is not a stupid mistake. It is a deliberate act undertaken by the driver to risk others lives for their own selfish needs. Same as if drugs or drink were involved. Someone died as a result of another's selfishness to accept they were not fit to drive. He deserves all he got and more. It does not matter one Iota how he lived his life or what he did for a living.
I don't understand those who are asking if we all make stupid mistakes. Of course we do but driving when your eyesight is impaired is not a stupid mistake. It is a deliberate act undertaken by the driver to risk others lives for their own selfish needs. Same as if drugs or drink were involved. Someone died as a result of another's selfishness to accept they were not fit to drive. He deserves all he got and more. It does not matter one Iota how he lived his life or what he did for a living. drofmor1

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