GP: I had indecent images of children on my laptop (From Echo)

GP: I had indecent images of children on my laptop

4:10am Saturday 14th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)

A DOCTOR has admitted possessing 240 indecent images of children.

Simon Yau, of Prittle Close, Benfleet, pleaded guilty to four counts of making indecent images at Southend Magistrates’ Court.

Yau, 29, was arrested in July after photographs and film footage were found on his laptop and a memory stick.Sixteen of the images were classified as Level Five, the most serious.

Yau, who worked as a locum GP across Southend and Castle Point, has been suspended by the General Medical Council.

Keith Rylands, prosecuting, told the court: “Dr Yau was seen at his home address and there was an element of subterfuge, where he tried to conceal the laptop and pen drive.

“The images were found on those devices. When he was interviewed at length by police he made full admissions.”

The GMC gave Yau an interim suspension from the Medical Register in August, which bans him from practising as a doctor in the UK and will remain in place for 18 months, while the outcome of their investigation is pending.

Yau qualified in 2004 and had worked for a time at Dr Connors and Partners in Hullbridge. He also worked at a number of other GP practices across south Essex.

Viv Barnes, associate director of corporate governance at NHS South East Essex, said it was unable to confirm all the places where he worked because, as a locum, the GP is not required to inform the trust where he works.”

She added, if anyone has any concerns, they should contact the confidential Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01702 224678.

Yau was bailed until December 7, when he will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)