ST HELENS police Chief Superintendent Andy Ward has paid tribute to victims who gave evidence against jailed doctor Roy Murray and praised detectives involved in the investigation.

Chief Supt. Ward said: "I want to pay tribute to the victims who came forward to tell of their ordeal and then re-lived that ordeal in such a public setting as a criminal court.

"This really shows some courage and I just hope the sentence of six years provides for them some form of closure. I would also publicly like to pay tribute to the investigation team, particularly DC Pauline Gerrard."

He said the six-year jail term given to Murray for indecently assaulting 23 women patients reflected the gravity of the crime. "My view tends to echo what the judge said. It is difficult to imagine a case of a breach of trust which is more serious than when a respected local GP has turned from what the judge described a healer to a predator.

"However, I would also like to reassure the community that this is a particularly rare occurrence and that women within the borough must not be put off from contacting their local GP.

"But if that trust they place in the doctor is breached we will take action."