A former family doctor has been jailed for 11 years after abusing patients who came to his surgery for treatment.

Navin Zala, of Marling Way, Gravesend, was found guilty at Hove Crown Court on 10 counts of indecent assault.

It comes after two ex-patients came forward in 2011, alleging the 63-year-old had repeatedly indecently assaulted them during routine examinations at his surgery in Marling Way when they were aged 14 to 17.

The assaults took place over several years in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Zala was arrested in September 2011, and, as the investigation by Kent Police and the NHS developed, he was charged with eight counts of indecent assault on two victims.

He was later charged with three further counts of indecent assault on another woman.

Zala denied all the charges but was convicted for 10 of the offences and jailed for 11 years. He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Zala was found not guilty of one of the charges of indecent assault.

Speaking after sentencing, investigating officer, Detective Constable Zoe Traynor said: "Zala’s actions were a dreadful abuse of the trust placed in him by his patients.

"They went to their doctor expecting to be treated with care and compassion and instead he abused and betrayed them for his own sexual gratification" - Det Con Zoe Traynor

"They went to their doctor expecting to be treated with care and compassion and instead he abused and betrayed them for his own sexual gratification.

"He assaulted his victims while they were at their most vulnerable and it has taken incredible courage for them to come forward to report his crimes.

"I would like to pay tribute to their bravery, which allowed us to launch an investigation and bring Zala to justice."

She said Zala's actions had "traumatised his victims and had a real impact on their lives and relationships."