A pervert doctor narrowly avoided a jail term despite sexually assaulting and threatening a former patient.

Dr Iftikhar Ali, 69, groped his victim's thigh and repeatedly tried to kiss at his home.

Prosecutor Nina Ellin told Maidstone Crown Court that the former GP, of The Downs, Chatham, had been drinking before launching his attack.

He stroked his victim's thigh, sniffed her hair and touched her as they discussed her private life.

The victim said she felt “scared and uncomfortable” and claimed he threatened to kill her if she told anybody.

She was "brought to tears" after the unexpected attack.

Michael Haynes, defending, called the June 2016 assault a "misjudgement" after drinking alcohol.

Ali, who worked as GP at a surgery in New Road, Chatham, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years for one count of sexual assault.

Ms Ellin said after the case: "Sometimes just an admission from an attacker is better than nothing."

Recorder Eleanor Laws QC also ordered a 25-day rehabilitation program for the disgraced doctor.