Disgraced Bothwell GP is facing serious sex allegation

Apr 9 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A DISGRACED Lanarkshire GP who beat up his wife is facing a ‘serious sex allegation’.

Police have passed to the procurator fiscal a report containing claims Dr Christopher Rowlands carried out a sexual assault.

A Strathclyde Police spokesman this week confirmed that officers had investigated Rowlands and matters had been referred to the procurator fiscal.

She said: “A report on the circumstances of the allegations has been submitted to the procurator fiscal in Hamilton.

“However, no warrant has been issued for Dr Rowlands’ arrest.”

A police source confirmed that the complaint against the doctor was of a “serious sexual nature”.

A spokesman for Hamilton procurator fiscal said they had received a report on a 53-year-old man and the matter was under consideration.

In 2004, Rowlands was convicted of battering wife Anne-Marie at their family home in Bothwell and was fined £1100 for the offence.

Rowlands had repeatedly punched his wife on the head and body, dragged her across the floor and stamped on her head to her injury.

He left Blantyre’s Rowallan Medical Group early in 2004 on health grounds, and later left Mrs Rowlands for hairdresser Patricia Freeman who walked out on her husband David.

Rowlands went on to commit further offences including an assault on Patricia Freeman’s husband with a set of keys. He was barred from practising after a General Medical Council Fitness to Practise Panel concluded Rowlands’ ability to work had been impaired due to his criminal record.

The suspension was due to be reviewed at the end of the month.

Six offences committed by Rowlands between August 2004 and June 2006 - two assaults, three breaches of the peace and a breach of bail conditions - were considered “matters of serious concern“ by the GMC.

Rowlands’ lawyer had told Hamilton Sheriff Court his client suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after attending the scene of a helicopter crash in Shetland.

Prior to the fine being imposed solicitor Gerry Devanney told Sheriff John Stewart that Rowlands had been offered a four-month contract at the A&E department of Bristol Royal Infirmary. It later emerged there had been no formal job offer and the GP did not take up the post.

The GMC website states the Fitness to Practise Panel is scheduled to review Rowlands’ case, of impairment by reason of a conviction or caution, between April 30 and May 1.

“The panel will review the case of Dr Rowlands whose registration is suspended by virtue of a determination of the Fitness to Practise Panel in August 2008,” the GMC website adds.

“The original conviction, from August 2004, concerned assault and breach of the peace.”

CHRIS ROWLANDS: report of allegations sent to the procurator fiscal.