Pharmacist jailed for abusing two women during medical examinations

Published

3 months ago

February 17, 2025

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A “predatory” pharmacist who abused two women during medical examinations has been jailed for two years.

A campaign group has branded the punishment of Tauqeer Azam “remarkably lenient for someone who is clearly a very dangerous individual”.

Azam, 41, targeted his first victim while working at Boots Pharmacy within Edinburgh’s Gyle Shopping Centre in May 2021.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said the young woman had sought medical assistance for a rash on her leg.

She was taken to a private room, without a chaperone or second witness, where Azam asked to see her legs.

COPFS said after she partially removed her trousers, the accused uttered remarks of a sexual nature, leaving the victim feeling “scared and vulnerable”.

Azam, of Glasgow, preyed on his second victim while working at Well Pharmacy in the city’s Nitshill Road in 2023.

The woman had sought treatment for a rash and was taken into a private consultation room without a chaperone.

COPFS said Azam sexually assaulted the woman and made inappropriate sexual remarks, leaving the victim feeling “violently sick”.

Azam was last month found guilty of two charges – communicating indecently and sexual assault – following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

He returned to the dock on Thursday, where he was jailed for two years and added to the sex offenders’ register for a decade.

For Women Scotland said “this cannot be allowed to happen anywhere else” as it called on pharmacies to ensure robust training is in place and staff are made aware of the “necessity to chaperone those seeking a consultation”.

Susan Smith, director of the campaign group, told Sky News: “There is something especially repellent about healthcare professionals who exploit their role and abuse the trust of those seeking medical help.

“This is clearly a pattern of behaviour and, sadly, it’s unlikely these two women were the only victims.

“There is a level of premeditation and calculation which is chilling. Two years seems remarkably lenient for someone who is clearly a very dangerous individual.”

Fraser Gibson, procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, urged anyone who has experienced similar offending to come forward and report it.

He added: “Tauqeer Azam is a predatory individual who exploited a position of trust.

“These two women should have been safe when seeking medical treatment but were instead sexually abused and assaulted.

“This prosecution and conviction were only possible because of their courage in reporting their experiences to the police and giving evidence.

“Because of that bravery, other women will now be protected while Azam is held accountable for his appalling behaviour.”

Boots and Well Pharmacy were contacted for comment.

UK

Manhunt after five people stabbed at event in southeast London

Published

3 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Manhunt after five people stabbed at event in southeast London

A manhunt has been launched after five people were stabbed at an event in southeast London, police have said.

Officers were called to Nathan Way, Thamesmead, at 4.19am on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Five people were found with stab wounds and were taken to hospital where their injuries are still being assessed.

No arrests have been made.

“Enquiries are ongoing and a cordon will remain in place throughout the day,” a Met Police statement said.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

UK

Three Iranians charged under National Security Act after investigation by UK counter-terror police

Published

5 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Three Iranians charged under National Security Act after investigation by UK counter-terror police

Three Iranian men have been charged with offences under the National Security Act in the UK, police have said.

The trio have been charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025, following an investigation by counter-terror police.

The Metropolitan Police said the three men are Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55.

The foreign state to which the charges relate is Iran, police said.

All three men will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday, the force added.

Sepahvand, of St John’s Wood, London, has also been charged with “surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research” with the intention of “committing serious violence against a person in the UK”, according to a police statement.

Meanwhile, Manesh, of Kensal Rise, London, and Noori, of Ealing, London, have also been charged with “engaging in conduct, namely surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK, would be committed by others”.

Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, described the charges as “extremely serious”.

“Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock and we have worked closely with colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service to reach this point,” he said.

“Now that these men have been charged, I would urge people not to speculate about this case, so that the criminal justice process can run its course.”

A fourth Iranian national aged 31 who was arrested was released with no further action on Thursday.

In a separate unrelated probe, counter-terror officers arrested five Iranian men, aged between 29 and 46, during raids across various locations in Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon earlier this month.

Last October, MI5 director general Ken McCallum said the UK intelligence agency had responded to 20 “potentially lethal” Iran-backed plots since 2022, warning of the risk of an “increase or broadening of Iranian state aggression in the UK”.

UK

Two firefighters and one other person die after fire at former RAF base in Oxfordshire

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2025

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Two firefighters and one other person die after fire at former RAF base in Oxfordshire

Two firefighters and a member of the public have died in a large fire in Bicester, the fire service announced.

The firefighters died in the inferno at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire, which now hosts historic motoring and aviation centre Bicester Motion.

The local fire service was called to the scene at 6.39pm last night.

Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters. Families have been informed and are being supported.

“Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for privacy to be respected.

“We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can.”

Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently being treated in hospital, Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement.

Footage shared on social media shows plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and flames swallowing the large building.

Ten fire crews attended the incident, with four remaining at the scene. The fire is still ongoing, but it is considered under control.

Local residents were advised to remain indoors and keep their windows shut, but this advice has now been lifted.

Bicester Motion said in a statement it would be closed today and over the weekend.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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