A former GP has been jailed for 22 years over 12 indecent assaults against patients at a practice in Bracknell, causing emotional scenes in court as all of his victims detailed their lifetime of anger and anguish. 

Retired doctor Stephen Cox, 65 and of Stockton Mill, Shropshire, denied committing 16 indecent assaults on seven women while he was practising in the Ralph's Ride practice - now known as The Waterfield Practice - between 1988 and 1997.

The court case heard from women who said Cox had used routine medical examination's for his "sexual gratification," in the words of prosecuting barrister Christopher Hewertson.  

The jury found him guilty of indecently assaulting several women by touching their breasts and their nipples, while he assaulted another woman by placing several fingers inside her without wearing a protective glove.

He was also found guilty of indecently assaulting one victim under the age of 14 when Dr Cox stroked her leg. 

Now in a hearing at Reading Crown Court today, the former GP has been sentenced to 22 years in prison, causing cries of "yes" from several women in the full public gallery, while others burst into tears.

Judge Sarah Campbell said he was "the worst kind of sexual predator" for the way he had "hid in plain sight" as a trusted doctor, preying on young women who were left vulnerable through a variety of issues, including ill health, pregnancy, grief. 

Via a video link from HMP Bullingdon, Cox appeared wearing a green and yellow jacket and remained silent throughout the hearing. 

In the public gallery, several women cried as statements from each of Cox's victims were read out, describing the former doctor as a "nasty, vile little man."

Cox's "sick fetish" for assaulting women had caused a lifetime of emotional distress for his victims, who detailed panic attacks, failed relationships, and a loss of confidence in men. 

One victim said she had pursued a breast reduction surgery as a result of the self-loathing sparked by Cox's indecent assaults. 

Another victim said she had been "betrayed in the worst possible way" and still feels "so uncomfortable in my own skin."

"I am so sad that my younger self was betrayed," the woman said in her statement. 

Another woman said Cox's assault was "always in the back of my head."

"I have had meltdowns in work to the stage where I have had panic attacks," she said. 

Cox, who has three adult children and ten grandchildren, had claimed he did not recall any of the patients and always denied the allegations, saying it was either a misunderstanding, an accident, or that his victims were not telling the truth.

Cox had been suspended for practising as a doctor over sexual misconduct and dishonesty in 2010 - but he had avoided being struck-off as a doctor. 

The 65-year-old had been suspended for nine months following allegations of sexual misconduct and dishonesty at a practice in Handcross, West Sussex.