A DOCTOR who tried to seduce medical students in his tutelage has been allowed to continue practising.

Dr Vinesh Narayan, who works for the 5 Boroughs' Knowsley service, was found to have attempted to develop "inappropriate" relationships with three University of Liverpool students with his conduct deemed "sexually motivated".

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service ruled Dr Narayan must obey a strict set of conditions for nine months, including telling the regulator in advance of any new jobs and his work being monitored at all times.

Dr Narayan, a consultant psychiatrist and NHS tutor, tried to kiss two of the students, invited them to the pub or his home, bought alcohol for them and sent flirtatious texts and emails.

He invited one student, referred to as 'Witness A', for a game of tennis and met her at his home one night during which he closed the curtains, poured her a glass of wine, asked if she had a boyfriend and tried to kiss her cheek.

In a later email to her he said: “We should celebrate our hard work with a drink".

Dr Narayan, who was recently divorced, also drove another student, 'Witness B' to a pub where he bought her an alcoholic drink and asked if she had a boyfriend.

He offered to read her palm, pointing to an area under her thumb stating the bigger that part was the better the kisser, or words to that effect and asked her to test whether that principle was correct.

He also asked a third student 'Witness C' about her social plans one evening and took her to a pub, asked about her partner and suggested they played golf together.

He said to her spending time with him "could be the difference between obtaining a 'good' and an 'excellent' mark" on a module.

He also brushed her cheek with his lips which Dr Narayan admitted was an attempt to kiss her.

The panel said to the medic: "The tribunal considers that in pursuing a sexual relationship with these students you abused your position of authority, not only as an educational supervisor but also as a consultant psychiatrist."

It added: "The tribunal is in no doubt that in all circumstances your conduct would be viewed by the public and fellow professionals as dishonourable and disgraceful."

Dr Louise Sell, medical director at the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Trust takes all potential cases of harassment very seriously and we took action as soon as we were notified of a complaint against Dr Narayan.

“He was subject to a robust internal investigation under our medical disciplinary policy in 2014 which resulted in the matter being referred to the General Medical Council (GMC).

“The subsequent Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing found that Dr Narayan’s fitness to practise was impaired and he will have conditions imposed on his practice for nine months. The Trust will carry out its role to monitor and report back to the GMC in due course.”