Clayhall doctor accused of genital mutilation appears at Old Bailey
The Whittington Hospital in north London, where Dr Dhanoun Dharmasena is alleged to have carried out the procedure (Picture: Steve Parson/PA) - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
A Clayhall man who is the first in the UK to be charged under female genital mutilation (FGM) laws appeared at the Old Bailey today.
Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 31, of Rushden Gardens, is accused of carrying out the procedure on a woman after she gave birth at Whittington Hospital in Archway, north London, on 24 November 2012.
The alleged victim’s husband, Hasan Mohamed, 40, will also face trial for allegedly encouraging FGM restoration.
Dharmasena and Mohamed spoke only to confirm their names during a preliminary hearing.
The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, said the trial would take place on January 13 next year but the pair will return to the court for a plea and case management hearing on June 27.
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FGM, which has been illegal in this country since 1985 and in 2003 the maximum sentence was increased from five to 14 years in jail.
At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims of FGM.
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Dharmasena, who was suspended by the General Medical Council last month, is charged with an offence contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation Act.
