Whittington doctor in court for first ever UK FGM charge
Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in central London where he appeared in court, along with Hasan Mohamed, in the first UK prosecution for female genital mutilation. - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
A doctor has appeared in court in the first UK prosecution for female genital mutilation.
Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 31, appeared alongside Hasan Mohamed, 40, who is not a medic, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The two are the first to face charges brought under the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).
It is alleged that Dr Dharmasena, who works at The Whittington Hospital, carried out the procedure on a woman who had given birth in November 2012.
He is accused of repairing FGM that had previously been performed on the patient, while Mohamed allegedly encouraged and helped him.
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The defendants’ lawyers indicated the pair would plead not guilty.
Dr Dharmasena sat in the dock wearing a dark suit, alongside the co-defendant, who wore a grey hooded top and trousers.
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The doctor, of Rushden Gardens, Ilford, and Mohamed, whose address was not read out in court, were both granted unconditional bail. They are next due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on May 2.
