A FAMILY GP accused of indecently assaulting female patients has spoken of his relief after charges against him were dropped.

Dr Robin Marsh, 68, was due to stand trial later this month following allegations he carried out inappropriate breast examinations on four women while working as a locum in the Southampton and Hedge End areas.

But a judge ordered not guilty verdicts after prosecutors revealed they were not continuing with the case.

Dr Marsh, who was first accused nine months ago, admitted it was one of the most stressful experiences of his life - and revealed he would return to practice.

Moments after the charges were dropped during a hearing at Southampton Crown Court, he said: "I am extremely relieved that the police have dropped all charges against me and not guilty verdicts have been entered but I have always denied the charges against me.

"I have always maintained this case has always been about communication and misunderstandings of appropriate examinations that were properly performed.

"This case has put my liberty, livelihood and reputation at risk and has been one of the most stressful experiences my family and I have ever encountered."

Dr Marsh, of Church Lane, Curdridge, near Botley, was supported during the brief court hearing by friends and family members.

"I would like to thank my family, friends, patients and colleagues and the medical defence union for their support," he said afterwards.

"I am looking forward to returning to practice and continuing to treat my patients to the best of my abilities."

Dr Marsh left Hedge End's Lower Northam Road medical centre in June 1999, where he had been a partner for 37 years.

He had denied five charges of indecently assaulting women patients, over a ten-year period from 1991, when he previously appeared before Southampton magistrates.

Maria Lamb, who was prosecuting at yesterday's final hearing, said the allegations centred on breast examinations that were neither justified nor carried out in an orthodox way.

She said they were no longer carrying on with the prosecution after seeing expert medical opinions from Dr Marsh's legal team.

"The Crown now takes the view there is no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction in this case.

"The view also taken is that it is no longer in the public interest to proceed in the prosecution."

Dr Marsh had conditions imposed by the General Medical Council (GMC) before the outcome of the case, including having to undertake physical examinations of female patients in the immediate presence of an adult member of the patient's family, another GP or a registered nurse.

A spokeswoman for the GMC said: "At the current time Dr Robin Marsh's registration is subject to conditions, although this is subject to review.

"We have received information from the Criminal Prosecution Service and will be reviewing it and considering what action, if any, we need to take as a result."