Mobile circumcision surgeon pleads guilty to 25 offences, including assault and child abuse

A former surgeon who was struck off the UK medical register in 2015 while working at Southampton General Hospital was found guilty today of causing bodily harm, child abuse and prescribing prescription-only drugs to several young and vulnerable patients for ignoring basic hygiene rules. in performing male circumcision at home and showing complete disregard for the health, safety and comfort of patients.

He admitted his guilt
Dr Mohammad Siddiqui, 56, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court today (29 October 2024) to a total of 25 offences, including 12 counts of grievous bodily harm, five counts of child abuse and eight counts of administering drugs which sold only by prescription, against the law.

Between June 2012 and November 2013, Siddiqui operated a private mobile circumcision service.

Works at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
He worked as a clinical fellow in pediatric surgery at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and in this capacity was able to obtain the anesthetic bupivacaine hydrochloride.

As part of his private circumcision service, he traveled around the United Kingdom and performed non-therapeutic male circumcision on young patients under the age of 14 by appointment.

Filmed in 2015
In 2015, Siddiqui was struck off the register of the General Medical Council after a Medical Professionals Tribunal panel found him guilty of failing to perform non-therapeutic male circumcisions at the homes of four infants.

After he was expelled, Siddiqui continued to run his mobile circumcision service. He was able to do this because non-therapeutic male circumcision is unregulated and does not require a doctor to perform it.

Catalog of dangerous and unhygienic procedures
However, Siddiqui continued to use bupivacaine in unsafe circumstances and continued to perform circumcisions in unsafe, unsanitary and harmful ways, showing a blatant disregard for the safety of his young patients.

Today he pleaded guilty to carrying out a series of dangerous and unhygienic procedures and causing unnecessary pain and suffering.

Homayer: Showed a painfully cruel attitude towards children
Anya Homayer of the Crown Prosecution Service said,

“Siddiqi practiced circumcision in an unsafe and unsanitary environment and thereby inflicted painful cruelty on children, leaving them emotionally and physically scarred.

“He has shown complete disregard for the impact of his actions on his victims, families and communities. We hope that this conviction will provide some comfort in bringing Siddiqui to justice.”

The CPS is committed to working with law enforcement partners to bring criminals who wish to cause harm to justice.

The victims had to wait many years to see justice
Chief Superintendent Fiona Bitters, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police, said:

“This was a complex investigation driven by the desire to ensure justice and protect children. Siddiqui’s pleas at this stage of the trial demonstrate the strength of the case we brought before the court, as evidence has already been presented against multiple victims.

“Our investigation was into Siddiqui’s criminal conduct during the circumcision procedures and was not into the practice of circumcision itself.

“I hope that his pleas today will bring some comfort to his victims who have had to wait many years to see justice for his actions.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight police officers shared the news, in their own words. ed