Birmingham Doctor Suspended for Repeatedly Punching and Slapping Partner
A doctor based in Birmingham has been handed a 12-month suspension after a medical tribunal found he repeatedly physically and emotionally abused his partner. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panel determined that Dr Muhammed Imran's actions impaired his fitness to practice as a doctor.
Details of the Abuse
The tribunal heard that Dr Imran, who qualified in Pakistan in 2007 and moved to the UK in 2022, engaged in a pattern of abuse against his partner, referred to as Ms A. This included punching her, pushing her onto a bed, grabbing her hair, and scratching her face. In one particularly dangerous incident, he took his hand off the steering wheel while driving at 50mph in an attempt to slap her.
Additionally, he held her arms with force for minutes at a time. Many of these attacks occurred on multiple occasions, with the tribunal reviewing evidence such as WhatsApp messages, photographs, videos, and voice recordings that supported Ms A's accounts.
Emotional Abuse and Tribunal Findings
Beyond the physical violence, Dr Imran sent abusive messages to Ms A, including calling her derogatory names and threatening her. The tribunal found Ms A to be a credible and reliable witness, noting that her evidence was consistent and backed by digital proof. In contrast, Dr Imran's credibility was weakened by inconsistencies in his testimony.
The tribunal concluded that he had breached fundamental tenets of the medical profession as outlined in Good Medical Practice, causing harm to Ms A through his actions. It also found his insight into his behavior to be superficial, as he continued to blame Ms A and had not taken responsibility.
Suspension and Context
Dr Imran was given the maximum suspension period of 12 months, effective from March 27. The tribunal did not consider erasure, or a complete ban, necessary at this stage, partly because the abuse occurred in his private life and not in his professional work. It was also noted that Dr Imran has since returned to practice in Pakistan and relinquished his General Medical Council licence in 2025.
This case highlights the serious consequences of domestic abuse, even when it occurs outside the workplace, for professionals in regulated fields like medicine.
