Doctor Charged With Sexually Assaulting 38 Patients in West Midlands Hospitals

A 38-year-old doctor, Nathaniel John Spencer, from Quinton, Birmingham, has been formally charged with multiple sexual offenses involving 38 patients across major West Midlands hospitals, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Friday.

According to the CPS, Spencer faces 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of attempted assault by penetration.

The charges follow what authorities described as a “detailed and complex investigation” carried out by the Public Protection Unit into reported offenses at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent and Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley. The alleged incidents took place between 2017 and 2021.

Spencer is expected to appear before the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on January 20, 2026.

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Both the CPS and Staffordshire Police declined to provide additional details regarding the number of children involved, citing the sensitive and ongoing nature of the case.

The CPS confirmed that the decision to prosecute was reached after extensive evidence review. In the meantime, Spencer has been suspended from medical practice in the UK pending further developments.

Employment records show he worked as a resident doctor (junior doctor) at the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust from August 2017 to August 2020, before moving to The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, where he served from August 2020 to April 2021.

Both NHS trusts have opened dedicated helplines for patients who may have concerns about their care.

Dr. Paul Hudson, Operational Medical Director of The Dudley Group, said the allegations were “deeply distressing” for patients, staff, and the wider community, adding that the trust had cooperated fully with police investigations.

UHNM also stated that it could not comment further due to the ongoing criminal proceedings but reassured the public that patient safety remains its highest priority.

The General Medical Council (GMC) confirmed that Spencer has been suspended while it investigates his fitness to practise, noting that the disciplinary process will resume once the criminal case concludes.

Doctor Charged With Sexually Assaulting 38 Patients in West Midlands Hospitals

Meta to Block Under-16s from Instagram, Facebook, Threads ahead of Australia’s World-First Youth Social Media Ban

Meta announced on Thursday that it will begin removing under-16 users in Australia from Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, ahead of the country’s pioneering youth social media ban. Australia’s law, which also affects TikTok and YouTube, comes into effect on December 10 and requires platforms to block underage users or face fines of AUS$49.5 million (US$32 million) for failing to take “reasonable steps” to comply.

A Meta spokesperson said the company is working to remove all users believed to be under 16 by the deadline. Young users will be able to download and save their online histories, and upon turning 16, regain access with their content fully restored.

The law is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Australian adolescents, with Instagram alone reporting roughly 350,000 users aged 13 to 15. Platforms such as Roblox, Pinterest, and WhatsApp are currently exempt, though the exemption list is under review.

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While committing to compliance, Meta urged app stores to take responsibility for age verification and parental approval at download, arguing this would reduce repeated verification across multiple apps and ensure teens remain in age-appropriate experiences.

YouTube has criticized the law, claiming it could make under-16s less safe by removing safety filters if they access the site without an account. Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed this as “weird,” noting that the law aims to protect teens from harmful algorithm-driven content that can negatively affect self-esteem.

The law has faced legal challenges. The Digital Freedom Project has launched a High Court case, arguing the ban infringes on freedom of speech. Authorities also anticipate attempts by teens to bypass the restrictions using fake IDs or AI tools.

Australia’s ban is drawing global attention as other countries consider similar measures. Malaysia plans to block children under 16 from social media next year, while New Zealand is preparing to introduce a similar law.

Meta to Block Under-16s from Instagram, Facebook, Threads ahead of Australia’s World-First Youth Social Media Ban

Putin Warns Europe: Russia Ready to Fight as Peace Talks Over Ukraine Continue

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to Europe, declaring that demands for an end to the war in Ukraine on terms favorable to Kyiv are “not acceptable.” Speaking in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin insisted that while Russia does not seek conflict with Europe, it is ready to fight if challenged.

Putin accused European nations of withdrawing from the peace process and lacking a genuine diplomatic agenda, claiming that European actions are hindering U.S.-led negotiations aimed at resolving the war.
“We are not going to fight with Europe, but if Europe wants to fight with us, we are ready right now,” he said.

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The remarks came ahead of a scheduled meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss an amended peace plan for Ukraine, following criticism that the original 28-point draft was overly favorable to Russia. Sources indicate that the updated proposals focus on territorial disputes, security guarantees, and financial matters, including the use of frozen Russian assets, though full details have not been disclosed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the peace plan as a potential avenue to end the war but stressed that territorial issues and financial guarantees must be resolved, alongside robust security assurances to prevent further Russian aggression.

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, with Pokrovsk witnessing clashes despite Russian claims of control. Zelenskyy is currently in Ireland, meeting with President Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who announced €125 million in aid for Ukraine, including non-lethal military support and energy assistance, reaffirming solidarity as the conflict enters a critical phase.

Meanwhile, the U.S. delegation in Russia, including Witkoff and Jared Kushner, toured Moscow ahead of the talks. The Kremlin has indicated that discussions will continue “as long as it takes” to achieve progress, underscoring the high stakes of ongoing Ukraine peace negotiations.

This development highlights escalating tensions between Russia and Europe while international stakeholders push for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing Ukraine war.

Putin Warns Europe: Russia Ready to Fight as Peace Talks Over Ukraine Continue