A DOCTOR accused of deliberately touching the breasts of two female patients in routine examinations denied getting sexual gratification from his actions.

Dr Unt Tun Maung is alleged to have taken advantage of the teenagers as he carried out chest examinations at separate surgeries while serving as a GP locum in County Durham and Teesside in July 2012 and September the following year.

Durham Crown Court has been told that a medical expert considered the manner of the examinations, as described by the alleged victims, was “neither common practice” or “clinically justified”, given the complaints presented by the patients.

But Dr Maung said he felt both examinations were justified as he sought answers to a long-term suspected urinary tract infection with one patient, and a respiratory viral tract infection suffered by the other.

Questioned by his counsel, Andrew Hurst, he conceded that while checking the heart rate of one patient and searching for the source of chest pain with the other he may have accidentally made contact with their breasts.

Mr Hurst asked: “In all of that, for no medical reason, did you squeeze or fondle or grope the breasts?”

Dr Maung denied it, but added: “If I did touch the breasts it was unintentional.”

Mr Hurst asked: “It could have been unintentional touching?”

Dr Maung agreed, but said at no time did he believe the patients felt “uncomfortable” with his examination.

Asked why the patients were not chaperoned, Dr Maung said with the older patient he felt it “unnecessary”, while, in the case of the younger patient, he said her mother was in an adjoining consulting room.

It was put to Dr Maung that the second patient said he appeared to have an erection after examining her.

Dr Maung said he did carry his mobile phone and car keys in his trouser pocket.

But he also said it would not have been possible as he was suffering erection difficulties at the time.

He said he was too “embarrassed” to mention it in an initial police interview, although he has more recently sought medical assistance to address the problem.

Mr Hurst added: “Because sexual gratification was difficult with your wife, did you take advantage with those patients?”

Dr Maung said: “No.”

The 43-year-old GP, from Chester-le-Street, denies two counts of sexual assault.

His trial continues tomorrow (Friday March 7).