Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

To the outside world, Dr Amal Bose was a highly esteemed heart surgeon, rubbing shoulders with world class physicians and rising through the ranks to become head of his department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

But to the women who worked under him at the troubled hospital, he was a crude and arrogant predator who passed off sexist remarks as banter and abused of his position to sexually assault them at work.

Now the disgraced doctor is beginning a six year prison sentence after being convicted at trial of 12 counts of sexual assault involving five women who worked for him. Judge Ian Unsworth KC, sentencing, said: "You never for one minute thought these women would ever challenge you."

Dr Amal Bose mixed with world class surgeons and aspired to be among the best cardiothorasic surgeons in the UK. But behind the scenes, the perverted doctor used his position to prey upon younger female members of staff, treating them like sexual objects as they went about their daily duties.

Handing down the sentence at Preston Crown Court, Judge Unsworth KC said over a five year period, Bose 'treated his victims as sexual objects'.

"You were a predator, hiding in plain sight," he said.

One woman was molested 'every time she saw Bose'. Others were groped as they prepared for surgery - with patients on the operating table. Several of his victims felt unable to report the abuse at Blackpool Victoria Hospital for fear they would not be believed or it would damage their careers.

Judge Unsworth said: "You felt you could do what you wanted, when you wanted, with whom you wanted. You felt you could alleviate your sexual needs as you wanted and with impunity.

"You never thought for one minute that any of these women would ever challenge you. The evidence is that you thought if they did you could charm your way out of it.

"When someone spoke to you and cautioned you about your behaviour you paid lip service. On one occasion, having been spoken to about touching a woman inappropriately, you made light of it - directly referring to it in the operating theatre."

The judge referred to WhatsApp messages in which Bose referred to female staff members as 'shaggable' and said one was 'uptight and in need of a good shag'. On one occasion, when drunk, he invited a female colleague to his hotel room to 'show her a good time' - knowing she was employed in his department and had a partner.

Judge Unsworth KC said: "To the outside world you were a highly skilled heart surgeon. The reality is you were a predator hiding in plain sight."

The court heard glowing references referred to Bose's work ethic. Many people would not be alive today were it not for his treatment, the hearing was told. He was well regarded as a trainer to other medics and had a less formal approach than many consultants, which made him appear approachable.

When colleagues complained about his crude and sexist comments, they were told 'that's just Amal', and remarks were passed off as banter in the toxic workplace he led.

Judge Unsworth said: "I am satisfied you feel very sorry - understandably now - for the position you find yourself in but I do not find you have any genuine remorse for your survivors."

He sentenced the defendant, of Thurnham, near Lancaster, to six years with sentences ranging from 12 months to four and a half years to run concurrently for the remaining offences.

Sacha Coyne, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West's Rape and Serious Sexual Offence Unit, said: "Amal Bose was in a trusted position at the hospital. He abused this by creating a toxic environment, making sexual comments, and sexually assaulting five women who worked at the hospital.

"He appeared not to recognise the serious and lasting impact his actions would have, describing his behaviour at trial as 'workplace banter'.

"I would like to thank the women for supporting the prosecution, and I hope now Bose has been brought to justice they can find some closure.

"This case should send a clear message to perpetrators of sexual abuse, the Crown Prosecution Service will not hesitate to prosecute abusers, regardless of the position that the abuser holds in society."

Subscribe to our daily newsletter LANCS LIVE NEWS and get all the biggest stories from across Lancashire direct to your inbox