A north-east family doctor facing 22 sex offences was refused bail for a second time when he appeared before magistrates on a video link from prison yesterday.

Dr Syed Amjad Husain, 29, of Darlington, is charged with four counts of indecently assaulting female patients and 18 charges of making indecent images of girls under the age of 16.

Peter Furness, representing Dr Husain at Peterlee Magistrates' Court, made a fresh application for bail increasing an earlier offered surety of £5,000 to £25,000.

Mr Furness submitted an address which he said was some considerable distance from Darlington and which was available for the doctor.

Jeff Corrigan, prosecuting, opposed the application and, after a lengthy deliberation, the magistrates remanded Dr Husain in custody until September 15 when he will again appear via video link.

A hotline, staffed by trained health professionals and set up after Dr Husain was charged, has so far been contacted by 60 people. The number, open between 9am and 7pm, is 0845 6008676.