A woman who was sexually assaulted by her family doctor after her mother died has bravely spoken-out after he was finally convicted, detailing how his crimes "ruined" her life.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons but is referred to as Paula, spoke out after Dr Stephen Cox was convicted for 12 counts of indecent assault against seven women at Reading Crown Court.

Cox preyed on the victims between 1988 and 1997, while practising as a GP in Bracknell, Berkshire.

The GP indecently assaulted Paula on two separate occasions between June 1993 and December 1994 by “pressing his erect penis onto her hand” and “touching her breasts and nipples”.

Paula, from Berkshire, said Cox was her family doctor and took advantage of her when she was vulnerable after her mother died.

She said: “He obviously knew my mum and he’d seen my mum just before she died as well. And he sent a letter to the family.

“Everything was absolutely fine up until mum passed, basically, and then I feel like he took advantage of me being down.

“He used to pull his chair and put his legs each side of mine.

“He put his hands on my legs and I thought nothing of that, then he started rubbing my legs and coming really close to talk and I just didn’t feel comfortable with it whatsoever.

“Then he did examinations which he shouldn’t have done really, there was no reason to them.”

Paula added: ““It’s the way he examined me, it’s not just the examination. He got quite excited about it.”

She said he acted like a “completely different person” when she had someone with her, adding: “Actually quite horrible, almost like he wanted me to get out as quick as possible.”

Paula added: “It was four years ago I came to the police and this happened nearly 30 years ago so it took me a long time to do something but one day I just decided, I was emotionally a complete wreck about it all.”

She said the ordeal has impacted on her ability to be intimate in relationships, adding: “I don’t get close to people, physically especially.

“Certain times I can just be having a cuddle with my partner and it just comes into my head and I’ve lost a few partners because of it as it’s really hard to understand.”

On learning she was not his only victim, she became tearful and added: “I shook like a leaf. I didn’t know if I was the first. When I found out there was more I did start wondering what if I said something sooner, I could have saved some people.

“I’m glad I done it and I want to get through it all now and try and leave it in the past, that’s what I want. Whether it happens or not, I don’t know.

“It has been a long process and, yeah, the last 30 years it has ruined every aspect or every part of my life, basically.”

She also urged other potential victims of historic sexual offences to “come forward”.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Sara Di Giorgio said the police were "keeping an open mind" regarding the possibility that Cox may have abused other individuals who are yet to report the incidents. 

DC Di Giorgio said: “Cox practiced medicine across the UK over a lengthy career.

“We are keeping an open mind as to the possibility that he may have committed further offences.

“During his career, Cox practiced in Burton-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Derby, Measham in Leicestershire, Wokingham, Ouse Valley in West Sussex and in Telford.

“It is possible there may be other victims who have yet to speak out.

“It is never too late to do so."

You can make a report to Thames Valley Police at any time on 101, quoting Operation Kurtosis, or you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.