A DOCTOR who grabbed two nurses in bear hugs and groped them has been spared jail by a judge.

One victim of Dr Patrick Chanda threatened to scream if he didn't release her but he just laughed, Preston Crown Court heard.

The career of Dr Chanda, 41, who worked at the former Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, now lies in tatters after he admitted two charges of sexual assault.

The father-of-three left his victims, aged 24 and 32, suffering "substantial upset", the court was told.

But Judge Michael Byrne, passing sentence, said he was satisfied that the Zambian-born doctor now needed to rebuild his life and posed a low risk' of offending again.

Chanda, of Wigan, was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two attend a sex offenders programme. He must also sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

Prosecutor Roger Green said the first incident happened when the doctor and a nurse bumped into each other. Chanda grabbed her in a bear hug. She asked him what he was doing as he groped her.

While the nurse told him to "pack it in", Chanda laughed and replied: "What's the matter - do you not like it?"

She told him she would scream if he didn't stop but he pushed her across the room into a chair. The incident was interrupted by someone else.

Two months later Chanda followed a second nurse into a room and grabbed hold of her, forcing her face towards his with his hand.

She told him to "get off" and resisted his advances. He then changed his grip and wrapped her in a bearhug, as she struggled, telling him repeatedly "no", the court heard.

The doctor ended up behind her and grabbed her indecently, before she eventually broke free.

He grabbed her in a bear hug again and she threatened to scream. Chanda told her he wanted to go on holiday with her but she replied "my boyfriend wouldn't like that." Chanda then moved away.

Wayne Jackson, defending, said it was almost inevitable his client would be declared bankrupt as a result of his convictions. He said: "There is nothing left with regards to his career."