A DOCTOR has denied allegations that he groped two female patients who presented themselves for examination for common complaints at surgeries in the North-East.

Unt Tun Maung is charged with two counts of sexual assault relating to separate incidents at surgeries where he was temporarily working as a locum GP, on Teesside and in County Durham, over the past two years.

Durham Crown Court heard the first incident involved a woman in her early 20s, who attended a surgery at a practice on Teesside, seeking assistance for a cough and flu-like symptoms, in July 2012.

The second involved a 15-year-old patient who attended a village surgery in County Durham over a kidney/urinary tract problem, on September 18, last year.

As a result of the complaint arising from the second alleged incident Dr Maung’s registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) was suspended in October last year, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and proceedings.

He appeared before South Durham magistrates at Newton Aycliffe, in July, when the case was sent to Durham Crown Court.

Appearing at a plea hearing at the crown court yesterday (Wednesday October 22) Dr Maung denied both charges.

The case was adjourned for a trial, which was given a five-day estimate, to be staged at the court in the New Year.

Among evidence to be considered will be the medical history of both alleged victims, to see if the method of examination given by Dr Maung was considered necessary.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned the case for trial to start on Monday March 2 next year.

But 43-year-old Dr Maung, of Alpine Court, Chester-le-Street, was bailed to return for a pre-trial hearing at the court on February 23.

* A spokesman for the GMC confirmed Dr Maung is now subject to an interim suspension, preventing him practising until the completion of its investigation and the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

He entered the medical register in October 2005 and was licensed to practice in November 2009, until the interim suspension was imposed on October 4, last year.

Prior to becoming a locum he worked for a GP medical group based in Felling, Gateshead, until June 2012.