A disgraced former GP and police doctor has today been sentenced to three years after admitting indecently assaulting 13 officers and cadets over the course of a decade.

Dr Hugh Blaise O'Neill, 61, carried out the offences while condicting examinations on the women in his role as force medical adviser for Norfolk Constabulary, a role he held between 1991 and 2003.

O'Neill, previously from Tasburgh, who is already serving 12 years for child sex offences, was today given more time behind bars at Norwich Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to the offences earlier this month.

Sentencing O'Neill Judge Anthony Bate said: 'You're a disgrace to an honourable profession'.'

He said his victims 'ought to have been safe and secure' in his consulting rooms but were instead were assaulted for his own sexual gratification under the 'guise of legitimate medical practice'.

He added: 'Your 13 victims ranged in age at the time from nearly 17 to 31. Ten were adult recruits, two were serving officers and one was a police cadet recruit.'

When speaking to O'Neill about his victims he said: 'All maintained a quiet dignity. Their only audible reaction was when it was said that you still did not admit your offences, but had pleaded guilty for your own reasons. It follows that you have shown not a shred of remorse.'

In her opening speech for the sentencing, defending barrister Kate Davey made reference to the individual victim impact statements, saying: 'There are several recurring themes throughout the statements. Many speak of feeling uncomfortable, embarrassed, angry but they felt that they had to put up with their medical examination so that they could succeed in their ambition to become full serving police officers.

'However uncomfortable they felt their medicals, however much they knew what was happening wasn't right, they feared complaining would mean no job and/or no one would believe them. He took advantage of them repeatedly. By his pleas, O'Neill has of course accepted that none of the acts complained of formed part of any legitimate or necessary procedure or examination. He was an unscrupulous and manipulative operator, taking his sexual gratification from vulnerable women who would go along with his behaviour as they trusted him.'

Today's sentencing was the culmination of a reinvestigation of previous allegations prompted by O'Neill's conviction for child sex offences.

A once respected member of his community and GP of 37 years standing, in January 2014 he admitted two counts of rape and one of gross indecency involving one victim and two counts of gross indecency against a second victim. Both girls were under 14 at the time.

Those offences were not in relation to his work as a doctor, unlike the latest set of offences, which took place between 1991 and 2001.

As previously reported, police said the Crown Prosecution Service had been consulted about the earlier allegations, but none had led to a criminal prosecution.

When they were later reinvestigated, in the light of the further allegations against O'Neill, made in 2014, the force referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

It asked for a local investigation to be carried out, which is currently being undertaken by another force, assisted by Norfolk Constabulary's professional standards department.

Detective Superintendent Kate Thacker, who led this enquiry, commented on the sentencing: 'I am very grateful for the courage shown by all the victims in coming forward to report these offences and I hope that today's outcome goes some way to enabling them to begin to put what has happened behind them.

'A Professional Standards investigation by another force is now being commissioned to consider two previous investigations into O'Neill's work for the Constabulary. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also been notified. It would be premature for me to comment further on this aspect, but all the victims will be kept updated during this review.

'It is entirely possible that following today's sentencing there may be other victims watching who have not yet come forward and now find themselves ready to do so. The Constabulary has set up a dedicated phone line for victims that will only be accessed by a member of the investigation team. I encourage those individuals who wish to come forward to get in touch and we will then support them and review any available evidence. The telephone number is 01603 276999.

'The force takes allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously and I wish to offer my reassurance that we will investigate any such allegations in a professional and thorough manner.'