An Ilford doctor faces the first-ever prosecution in the UK under the Female Genital Mutilation Act, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

Dr Dhanoun Dharmasena, 31, of Ilford, faces prosecution for the alleged offence of carrying out FGM while working at the Whittington Hospital in Archway, north London.

He will faces charges alongside Hasan Mohamed, 40, of Holloway, north London.

Mr Mohamed faces a charge of intentionally encouraging female genital mutilation.

Dr Dhamasena and Hasan Mohamed will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 15 April.

In a statement, released on Friday (21), Alison Saunders, director of public prosecutions, said: “The CPS was asked to consider evidence in relation to this allegation of female genital mutilation by the Metropolitan Police Service.

“It was alleged that following a patient giving birth in November 2012, a doctor at the Whittington Hospital, in London, repaired FGM that had previously been performed on the patient, allegedly carrying out FGM himself.

“Having carefully considered all the available evidence, I have determined there is sufficient evidence and it would be in the public interest to prosecute Dr Dhanoun Dharmasena for an offence contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).

“I have also determined that Hasan Mohamed should face one charge of intentionally encouraging an offence of FGM, contrary to the Serious Crime Act (2007), and a second charge of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Dr Dharmasena to commit an offence contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).

“These decisions were taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.”