Doctor who targeted two women at work before carrying out sex attacks  is suspended for 12 months

Published: 15:16, 3 May 2026 | Updated: 15:17, 3 May 2026 A senior intensive care doctor has been suspended over sex attacks on two female NHS workers he cornered in a hospital. Dr Naleen Thota, 55,  was last year found guilty of two counts of sexual assault which took place at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, where he was working at the time of the incidents.  Now a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing has ruled his fitness to practise was currently impaired. He was suspended for 12 months. Thota - who trained as a doctor in India and moved to the UK 22 years ago - was in a 'powerful' position as an associate specialist in anaesthetics at major hospitals. He 'weaponised' his role to target two female NHS workers when they were alone in Morriston Hospital to carry out sex attacks on them. The tribunal hearing, chaired by Bushra Tabassum, heard how on more than one occasion Thota hugged a female colleague. It also heard Thota squeezed her right hip tightly and said 'ooh', or words to that effect while doing so. Thota, of Penllergaer, Swansea, had denied two charges of sexual assault but was found guilty after a trial at Swansea Crown Court. In a victim statement, one of the women said Thota had 'wielded his position of power like a weapon to hurt me and silence me'. His second victim said Thota had used a 'friendly facade' to groom the women and had been 'predatory and calculating'. Dr Naleen Thota, 55, was in a 'powerful' position as an associate specialist in anaesthetics at major hospitals Thota - who trained as a doctor in India and moved to the UK 22 years ago -'weaponised' his role to target two female NHS workers when they were alone in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, to carry out sex attacks on them Hywel Davies, defending, said the shame Thota had brought upon his family meant he would be forced to sell their home and downsize. During the trial, Judge Catherine Richards told Thota he had committed 'a gross and calculated abuse of power and position'. She added: 'These offences were born out of the exercise of power that was used against these women without regard to the impact on them'. Judge Richards praised the victims' bravery for coming forward and said they had shown 'enormous courage and strength' through the trial. Thota was handed a 21 month suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work. He must also complete a rehabilitation course and register as a sex offender for 10 years. Thota was also handed restraining orders banning him from contacting his victims for at least 10 years. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.