A doctor who ''almost gave a woman patient an orgasm'' during an internal examination was jailed for two years by a judge at Peterborough Crown Court yesterday.

Passing sentence Judge Peter Crane told Dr Graham Reynolds, 54, women patients were entitled to expect a doctor to behave with ''complete professionalism''.

The married GP, of Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, was convicted last month of three counts of indecent assault against women at his surgery in Huntingdon between 1990 and 1996.

Judge Crane said he accepted the internal examinations were required. ''But in these cases you turned what should have been a medical examination into an opportunity for indecent assault,'' he added. ''For example, count five involved a woman being brought almost to orgasm and count nine involved the rubbing of the clitoris.

''This was a betrayal of trust and you have let down not only yourself but your profession and your partners.'' The judge added: ''Dr Reynolds had given very good medical attention to many patients over the years - including many women - and the conviction had had a devastating effect on his family.

''I have to weigh the good that you have done and the effect upon you against the need to mark the seriousness of what happened to deter anyone who might be tempted to act in that way.''

The jury of six men and six women found him guilty on three counts and acquitted him of another four charges dating back to 1984.

Reynolds denied any improper conduct. Miss Nicola Davies QC, defending, said he had not worked since his arrest in July last year and had now retired on the grounds of ill-health. His case would be automatically referred to the General Medical Council and it was highly likely he would be struck off.