KHALED ZACHARIAH FROM GLOUCESTER STRUCK OFF AFTER ONLINE SEX CHAT WITH 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In July 2016, a prominent medical professional from Gloucester faced severe disciplinary action after his online communications with a minor girl were brought to light, revealing a disturbing pattern of inappropriate behavior.Dr.
Khaled Zachariah, aged 41, who was practicing as a gastroenterology registrar at Gloucester Royal Hospital, was found to have engaged in a series of explicit and predatory messages on various internet platforms, including the World’s Biggest Chat and MSN Messenger.
Using pseudonymous usernames such as 'TummyDoctor' and 'Medic69', Zachariah actively sought out underage girls for sexual conversations.
His messages included references to prolonged sexual activity, with one message explicitly stating, “slow love-making all weekend,” indicating a desire for extended sexual encounters.
His online activity was characterized by a disturbing attempt to portray himself as a medical professional, with one message claiming, “Trust me, I’m a doctor,” in a bid to establish authority and manipulate the girl.
Further, Zachariah made references to Jeremy Forrest, a teacher who had previously eloped to France with a 15-year-old girl and was subsequently jailed.
Zachariah’s messages included comments such as, “I am three times your age lol,” and statements suggesting that societal laws are unnatural, asserting, “Society makes it illegal but nature takes its course.” He also expressed concern about the potential legal repercussions, stating, “I could go to jail,” and drew parallels to Forrest’s case, questioning, “And where is he now.” Additional messages revealed his predatory intentions, with Zachariah describing the girl as “single, cute, and inexperienced,” and expressing a desire to guide her toward his bed, claiming, “Your first time is better with an expert.” These messages underscored his attempt to groom and manipulate a minor for sexual purposes.
Law enforcement authorities traced Zachariah after officers, posing online as a 13-year-old girl, successfully arranged a meeting at a luxury hotel.
The police’s covert operation was part of an effort to catch him attempting to meet the girl for illicit purposes.
Following this operation, Zachariah was arrested.
However, initially, no criminal charges were filed against him, and instead, police reports were forwarded to his employers at Gloucester Royal Hospital, where he was employed as a registrar specializing in Gastroenterology.
During a medical tribunal, Zachariah admitted to engaging in the online chats but denied any misconduct, claiming that his actions were purely part of a fantasy and that he was aware he was not communicating with a real young girl.
Despite his assertions, the tribunal panel dismissed his claims, finding that his conduct constituted a serious breach of professional standards.
The tribunal, led by panel chair Peter Scofield, convicted Zachariah of misconduct and subsequently removed him from the medical register, effectively banning him from practicing medicine.
Scofield emphasized the gravity of the misconduct, stating, “Sexual misconduct seriously undermines public trust in the profession.
You abused your position as a doctor and you put your own interests before that of a person you believed to be a child.” Rachel Smith, representing the General Medical Council, detailed the nature of Zachariah’s online interactions, noting that he initiated contact with phrases like “hey sweetie,” and inquired about her location, mentioning he had been out in Bolton and referencing “hot girls.” She explained that Zachariah asked her to confirm her age, claiming to be 35 and a doctor, and made explicit remarks about his own sexual experiences, including a comment about never having “f**ked a 13-year-old.” In his defense, Zachariah claimed that his online exchanges were part of engaging in sexual fantasies and that he believed at one point that the girl might be underage.
He insisted that he never intended to meet her in person for sexual activity, asserting that his actions were purely virtual and fantasy-driven.
Nonetheless, the tribunal found his explanations unconvincing and concluded that his conduct was a serious breach of trust and professionalism, leading to his removal from the medical register.
