A GP has appeared at Liverpool Crown Court accused of four counts of sexual assault, which were allegedly carried out between 2007 and last year.

Dr Maxman Tembo from Marigold Way in Bold denies all charges.

It is claimed he mimicked a lewd act with a beer bottle before groping a woman in the former Liverpool city centre club Newz Bar. The woman complained to the practice where he worked but did not report the incident to police.

However, the incident only came to their attention after allegations last year he molested another woman, who did go to the police.

Prosecutor David Watson said it was after this that his three other alleged victims then came forward.

Mr Watson alleges that Tembo committed the offences for "his own sexual gratification."

After the first alleged incident it is claimed that in 2009, while working in Newton-le-Willows, he asked a woman for a date and kissed her on the lips before she fled.

She told the court he asked her if she had any "suitors" and realised he implied he wanted to take her on a date.

She said: "I got up to leave. I also stood up and held my arm and kissed me on the lips for a split second. He had his hands on my arm. I would say he was holding me so I couldn't leave."

Asked how the kiss ended she said she moved away and left. She added: "I was shocked. I didn't know what to do about it."

The woman said she didn't tell police until last year after reading a newspaper article about him.

He is alleged to have also tried to kiss a woman in March 2013, by which time he was working at a practice in Everton. It is alleged that she pushed him away he pulled her towards him before she managed to break free and leave.

The last alleged incident, which led to the police investigations, saw him hugging a 17-year-old girl, lifting her off the ground and pressing his groin into her back, claimed Mr Watson.

The case continues.