Sick sex pics GP walks free

David McMaster

A RESPECTED GP has escaped jail despite possessing hundreds of thousands of indecent images.

David McMaster (50), a doctor at Quayside Medical Practice in Failsworth, pleaded guilty to six charges at Warrington Crown Court yesterday.

McMaster, who was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years, was arrested last June after officers from Cheshire Police raided his Lymm home on charges covering July 2007 to June 2014.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of making 1,811 category A images, 1,856 category B images and 170,008 category C images.

He also pleaded guilty to further counts of possession of 6,435 indecent images with a view to distribute, possession of 120,675 indecent images and possession of 13 extreme pornographic images. Simon Christie, defending, said: “He was a distinguished GP who went over and above his normal duties and worked phenomenally hard. His addiction overtook him and destroyed his career and life as he knew it. He has fallen a very, very long way and he should have known better. He was relieved when the police came to see him.

“There is no indication he was actively involved in the distribution or taking of these images. He paid for a course to tackle his addiction and took steps to break it. His life needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.”

Judge Woodward said: “Over a long period of time you have been accessing indecent images of children.

“The stresses you were under with work, your finances and relationship were factors but it in no way explains or excuses what you did.

“You would have known through your training and career the severe damage that is done to young people as a result of sexual offending.

“These are large and lengthy charges that have had a devastating impact on you and your family, who must have been shocked when they found out.”

McMaster will have to complete an internet sex offenders’ treatment programme and will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay costs of £500. He has been banned from working with children or vulnerable people indefinitely.

McMaster, former clinical director for NHS Oldham CCG, was suspended by the General Medical Council last July. This will remain until the GMC has concluded its own investigations.

A spokesperson for Quayside Medical Practice said: “We share the concerns of our patients since these upsetting matters came to light but have been encouraged by the many messages of support our practice staff have received from our patients.”