A consultant surgeon who burned his initials on to the livers of two unconscious patients has been given a community order and fined £10,000.
Simon Bramhall, 53, told police he used an argon beam machine to initial the organs to relieve operating theatre tensions following difficult and long transplant operations in 2013.
Birmingham Crown Court was told one of the victims suffered serious psychological harm as a result of the branding, while the other was traced through hospital records but “did not wish to engage” with police.
Bramhall, of Tarrington in Herefordshire, was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service and pay £1,500 in prosecution costs.
Asked about the doctor’s motive after the court hearing, Mr Ferguson said: “Clearly he did not anticipate that it would be seen.
“As far as we know it’s a unique case in terms of the facts and demonstrates really the vulnerability of patients and the degree of trust they place in their surgeons when they are having an operation, and the importance that that trust is protected and respected by doctors.”
Patient A declined Bramhall’s offer of an apology after the “unbelievable and farcical” allegations emerged in late 2013 and opted to report the matter to the General Medical Council and the police.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Patient A stated: “The overwhelming feeling of violation was intense.”
Around 20 well-wishers – some of whom underwent organ transplants conducted by Bramhall – attended the court hearing to support him.
Defence barrister Michael Duck QC said: “A number of people who sit in this court are able to sit in this court because of the skill of Mr Bramhall.”