Surgeon struck off for indecent images of children

A vascular surgeon has been struck off the medical register after being convicted of having 326 indecent images of children.

Lukasz Woda was working as a surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, when he was charged with making indecent photographs and moving images of a child.

The 32-year-old, who lives in Trumpington in the city, pleaded guilty to the three offences and was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court to five months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

A hearing of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) took place last week and was told Woda "fully accepted responsibility for his actions".

Police seized two phones and a laptop from the doctor and the MPTS report stated that 50 of the images were Category A, the most serious.

He was charged on 30 August 2024 and his contract at Addenbrooke's Hospital was terminated with immediate effect.

Woda said he drunk 300ml of whiskey at the time of the offence and "was not fully aware of what he was doing".

He had "unintentionally acquired a folder containing indecent images" that he "immediately deleted upon recognition".

Digital forensic analysis examination established that Woda "actively searched for terms directly associated with indecent images of children".

The report said: "The tribunal was satisfied that the content of the indecent images, the sexually motivated aspect of his conduct and the use of concealment measures, amounted to an extremely serious breach of professional standards.

"It therefore concluded that Woda's actions fell far below the expected standards and amounted to serious misconduct."

General Medical Council representative Colette Renton said: "The public will be appalled to hear that the doctor, holding the esteemed position as a vascular surgeon, had committed such offences."

She submitted that the doctor's actions would have a "serious negative impact" on the reputation of the profession.

"The public should trust that their clinician is not involved in illegal activity, particularly which pertains to a sexual interest in those who are vulnerable such as children," the report added.

Woda's sentence - which was handed down on 9 January - also saw him having to pay a fine of £1,000 and was put on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

It also included a rehabilitation activity requirement, the forfeiture and destruction of a phone and laptop and a sexual harm prevention order running until 9 January 2035.

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