Patients of a police doctor accused of drugging and assaulting three schoolgirls described him to a jury as "unique, kind and trustworthy".

They took the witness stand in support of Dr Robert Wells, who denies abusing the girls while they were guests at his flat in St Denys, Southampton.

David James, who chairs nine public companies and who was put in charge of the Millennium Dome after its financial collapse, told Winchester Crown Court how a chemist had recommended Dr Wells to him 14 years ago.

He told how after suffering a stroke four years ago, he had seen Dr Wells more frequently.

"I think he is quite unique as a doctor. He has an extraordinary ability to explain every ailment and remove any anxiety."

Lianne Amaryills said she had sought medical advice from 52-year-old Wells.

"I always trusted his medical advice. He was never too busy."

Statements were read out to the court from other patients, who had opted to go private and pay a flat fee every month to Dr Wells' Brighton-based company, Personal Doctor Ltd, for round-the-clock care.

They included electronics engineer, Roger Wilkins, who described him as "warm, friendly and sociable".

Eliza Basin, a Sussex University student, outlined how Dr Wells had correctly diagnosed that she was suffering from chronic constipation after she had endured backpain for many months.

"He examined me alone on three separate occasions and made me feel at ease,"she said.

"He is very friendly, very caring. It seemed that nothing was too much to ask. There was not the same formality as I have encountered with some other doctors."

Wells, of Hangleton Road, Hove, denies three counts of rape, five indecent assaults, one charge of making indecent photographs and two of administering drugs.

Proceeding