A former surgeon at Southampton General Hospital showed "complete disregard to patient health, safety and comfort" in a "private mobile circumcision service" he ran.

Dr Mohammad Siddiqui ran the service, travelling around the UK by appointment and performing circumcisions on patients up to the age of 14, while working as a clinical fellow in paediatric surgery at University Hospitals Southampton.

The 56-year-old was struck off the UK medical register in 2015 for incidents that occured between June 2012 and November 2013.

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of causing actual bodily harm, five counts of child cruelty and eight counts of administering prescription-only medicine.

READ MORE: Attempted murder arrest made in Totton after man injured

After being struck off, Siddiqui continued to operate his mobile circumcision service.

He was able to do so because non-therapeutic male circumcision is unregulated and is not required to be carried out by a medical practitioner.

He was able to use his position at UHS to source the anesthetic Bupivacaine Hydrochloride.

Prosecutors said he ignored basic hygiene rules and administered prescription-only medicine to several young and vulnerable patients.

Anja Hohmeyer of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Siddiqui practised these circumcising acts in an unsafe and unsanitary environment and so meted out painful cruelty to children leaving them with emotional and physical scars.

“He showed a complete disregard for the impact of his actions on his victims, families, and communities.

“We hope that this conviction offers some comfort in seeing Siddiqui being brought to justice.”

Detective chief superintendent, Fiona Bitters, from Hampshire Constabulary, added: “Siddiqui’s pleas at this stage in his trial demonstrate the strength of the case that we had brought to the court with evidence relating to a number of victims having already been presented.

“Our investigation related to Siddiqui’s criminal actions whilst undertaking circumcision procedures and was not concerned with the practice of circumcision itself.

“I hope his pleas today help to bring some comfort to his victims who have had to wait many years to see justice served for his actions.”