A doctor appeared in court today charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at a Norfolk hospital.

A doctor appeared in court today charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at a Norfolk hospital.

Rashid Sandhu, 29, is alleged to have carried out the attack on June 3 while working at the James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston.

Sandhu, of Brotherton Way, Hopton, is also charged with 17 counts of making indecent images of children from January to June this year.

When the allegation of sexual assault surfaced in June, Sandhu, a Pakistan national, was suspended as specialist registrar in the hospital's accident and emergency department. The hospital launched a special helpline for concerned patients treated by Sandhu who had worked there since 2003 during two different spells.

Sandhu, who did not enter any pleas, was remanded by Yarmouth magistrates to appear at Norwich Crown Court on September 24 for a preliminary hearing.

Under the terms of his conditional bail he is not allowed to enter any health authority premises unless as a patient, must live in Kent at weekends and report to the police three times a week.