CONTROVERSIAL breast surgeon Ian Paterson’s crown court trial could be heard in the south east of England to ensure a fair trial – it has been revealed.
Paterson, 58, was due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court today (Monday) to enter a plea for the 21 charges he faces of unlawfully and maliciously wounding 11 patients between 1997 and 2011.
But was absent for ‘mental health’ reasons.
Paterson, who now lives in Altrincham, carried out hundreds of so-called ‘cleavage-sparing’ mastectomies on patients at Solihull Hospital, Spire Healthcare.
During today’s hearing, the possibility of moving the case away from the Midlands to ensure a fair trial was discussed.
His high profile and the thousands of people he came into contact with could make it difficult in terms of jury selection.
Any decision to move the trial – which would not be held until October 4 at the earliest – will now be made by a senior judge.
Today’s hearing was adjourned until May 26.
