A BLACKBURN doctor - accused of sexually touching three in-patients at Burnley General Hospital - has opted for a full committal hearing.
Married father-of-two Mannan Masud is accused of fondling the women, who were recovering from operations, while claiming to be their doctor.
Masud, 41, pleaded not guilty to the three offences, which are all alleged to have taken place on August 20 this year, at a previous hearing.
Sara Lyle, representing Masud on behalf of his West Midlands-based solicitors Fiaz and Company, said that the defendant had requested a full committal hearing.
In such circumstance, all of the evidence in the case is read out to magistrates, who then decide on whether the proceedings should be committed for trial.
Masud, of London Walk, Blackburn, was bailed until February 21 on condition he does not enter Burnley or apply for travel documents.
He must also live at his home address in Blackburn, except when attending medical courses.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article