A HOSPITAL doctor has been found guilty of molesting a teenage patient – despite not being in the country for the trial.

Naveen Shivan, 37, was in his home country of India, and his defence barrister told the court he had been diagnosed with depression and advised not to travel by a doctor.

The jury was told not to speculate as to why Shivan was not in court.

The offence dates back to August 2005 when Shivan worked on the ear, nose and throat unit of the former Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

After the jury found him guilty, on an 11-1 majority verdict, of sexual assault, a Preston Crown Court judge adjourned the case for sentencing on January 5.

Steps will be taken to see if he can return for the hearing.

The court heard a 16-year-old girl admitted to the infirmary with acute tonsillitis complained she had woken up in the small hours to find the medic touching her tummy.

She said he then indecently touched her.

Shivan, formerly of Infirmary Close, Blackburn, denied a charge of sexual assault.

He told police he decided to examine the girl out of ‘caring interest’ after 1am.

Shivan told police there was no sexual connotation to the examination.

It was the second time Shivan has been tried for the offence.

At a previous trial last year, a jury had been unable to reach a verdict.