Surgeon to be thrown out of the country after sex attack on student nurse

A SURGEON is to be thrown out of the country after he launched a sex attack on a student nurse on a bus in the grounds of a hospital.

Sandeep Patonde attacked the terrified woman on the bus between Dundee city centre and Ninewells Hospital last September.

The orthapaedic surgeon sat down beside her - telling her he was a doctor who specialises in bones - then asked her for her name and mobile number.

But when she told him she did not own a mobile phone married Patonde - who comes from family of doctors - asked her: “You’re scared of me, aren’t you.”

He then launched the sex attack - grabbing her top and trying to look down it before putting his hands on the terrified nurse’s thighs.

Patonde then followed the woman back towards her residence - grabbing hold of her and branding her an “idiot” for being scared of him - then trying to kiss her.

The brazen surgeon later told friends he had been “smooching” the woman - and denied attacking her when collared by police.

Last month Patonde told Dundee Sheriff Court he wanted to pay compensation to his victim and avoid a jail term - but a sheriff blasted him for “trying to buy his way out of jail”.

He was remanded in custody for a month before being released on Wednesday to access cash to pay money to the woman.

But today he was simply admonished for the offence and ordered to pay the woman £1000.

He now faces being thrown out of the country as his visa has now been revoked.

Fiscal depute Donna Davidson told Dundee Sheriff Court that Patonde then put his left arm around her shoulder - prompting her to grab him and tell him to leave her alone.

The prosecutor said: “The complainer felt very intimidated.

“She tried to stand up and get away from the accused however he blocked her path by sticking his arm out.

“The complainer repeatedly told him to move his arm but he refused and she sat back down.

“He asked her if she had a boyfriend and asked if he scared her.

“With no warning he then grabbed hold of the complainer’s V neck top and tried to look down towards her breasts.

“She tried to stop him.

“He then started feeling her legs and put his hands on her knees, feeling up her thighs.

“The complainer kept hitting his hands in an effort to stop him but he did this several times before he stopped.”

Patonde - who had arrived in Scotland just weeks earlier to take a University of Dundee course to enhance his surgery skills - then got off the bus along with the nurse and followed her through the grounds of the hospital.

He grabbed her and called her an “idiot” before continuing to chase her until she got near the staff residences.

Patonde then made off - while his victim was captured “distraught” on CCTV inside the building.

Police detained Patonde two days later - but he told them: “I have not done any such thing - this is not correct.”

Patonde, 33, of Lister Court, Dundee, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the woman to her injury on 30 September last year.

Paddy O’Dea, defending, said Patonde’s student visa would be terminated and he would be thrown out of the country as he had now been convicted of the offence.

He said: “He normally resides in Mumbai where his wife works as a doctor.

“He doesn’t intend to ever return to the UK and doesn’t know if he will ever be able to practice again - he certainly won’t be in the UK or the EU.

“He is beside himself with remorse for his misconduct.

“He accepts it was motivated by his sexual desires.

“His period on remand has been significant for him - he’s struggled with low mood and has been in contact with his wife three times a day.

“He wants to make a sincere and genuine apology to the lady and he hopes she can put it behind her as soon as possible.”

Sheriff Alistair Duff ordered him to pay £1000 compensation and admonished Patonde on the charge.