The victim of a doctor, well respected and trusted within his community, has spoken of the devastating effect his sexual abuse has had on her life.
Dr Wayne Davis, 67, was a GP in Salford when he sexually abused the woman during an intimate and invasive ‘examination’. She claimed the doctor made a ‘highly inappropriate comment’, before using his fingers to ‘stretch’ her vagina.
“She said that she felt traumatised by the whole experience,” prosecutor Vanessa Thomson said, adding that the complainant was ‘haunted’ by what she said happened to her.
The woman later reported her allegations to police.
After details of Dr Davis’ arrest were published in news reports, another woman came forward to report that she had been abused by him in the 1990s.
She said she went to the doctor after experiencing an issue with her genitals. She said that the doctor inserted his finger into her vagina. She said she felt ‘uncomfortable’ but trusted Dr Davis, as was the advice.
The complainant said the examination had ‘stayed with her all these years’ and that it had left her feeling ’embarrassed and humiliated’.
Dr Davis denied all wrongdoing, but following two trials he was found guilty of indecent assault and assault by penetration. Reporting restrictions were imposed following the first trial, meaning it could not be reported that he had been found guilty of the offences.
Dr Wayne Davis outside Manchester Crown Court
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Following the conclusion of a retrial, he was acquitted of another offence. At a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court today (January 13) after an application to lift reporting restrictions by the Manchester Evening News, the full case can now be reported.
During the hearing, a closed court containing the judge, prosecutor, defence counsel, court staff and one member of the press, heard the emotional words from one of the victims of the doctor.
Speaking over videolink, the woman said: “As a person with autism, I trust people easily and believe in their integrity. This trust was shattered by Dr Davis when I was newly married and just 18 years old.
“I had moved from London to Manchester and my ex-husband’s mother had encouraged me to trust Dr Davis and see him for a new health problem. But when I met Dr Davis that very first time, he conducted an intensely invasive examination on me to check if I was [a virgin]. It was lengthy and uncomfortable and affected my marriage greatly,” she added, bursting into tears.
The woman described Jewish laws around marriage and sex, and said the doctor’s actions had ‘robbed her’ of that experience with her husband.
“My marriage went downhill after. I felt confused and didn’t enjoy physical intimacy. I felt angry and upset about this and projected quite negative feelings on my husband,” she said.
“I eventually ended my marriage two years later. I struggled to cope thereafter.”
She said she received emergency care at a psychiatric unit and was treated for manic depression and bipolar disorder after suffering from a nervous breakdown.
“Dr Davis’ actions towards me broke my trust in people, especially doctors. It destroyed my first and second marriage. I believe I could have had a much more fruitful life, being a good wife and mother to my children,” she wept.
“Dr Davis violated me in a way I cannot forget and the trauma stays with me every single day.”
(Image: MEN Media)
The woman said she has been diagnosed with autism, and she has never been able to maintain long lasting relationships or fully enjoy sex.
She continued: “I avoid dating men, but I am also terrified of growing old alone. The impact of his actions left me deeply troubled and scared and since then I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, agoraphobia and panic attacks.”
She said she had spent a lot of money on therapy, adding: “I don’t really feel better.”
“Emotionally, I have overwhelming feelings of fear, anger and continue to suffer fleeting suicidal thoughts.”
She said after the incident she moved back to London to be with her parents and to where she felt safe. She also said that she felt ‘anxious’ about the response from the jewish orthodox community.
“I know of others who have been shunned by them coming forward,” she said.
“Dr Davis’ actions greatly affected my faith and ability to trust people, especially doctors.
“I am frightened of men with dark hair and glasses like he had and I am scared to be alone in a room with a doctor. I don’t feel a complete person since the sexual assault. I feel broken and damaged.”
She added that she had been supported by various charity groups within the community.
“This has been and continues to be a very heavy burden on me,” she concluded.
Dr Davis, of Old Hall Road, Salford, was jailed for eight years, and was also made subject of the Sex Offenders Register for life.