The two doctor victims complained about their treatment at the hands of Stephen Milward to the General Osteopathic Council in 2002 but before disciplinary proceedings could take place he resigned.

The proceedings were consequently dropped and Milward thought that nothing further would happen about his indecent behaviour but last year the police were contacted and their investigations led to Milward facing charges involving 13 male patients.

Fifty-year-old Milward stood trial on 12 allegations of indecent assault and a jury of six men and five women convicted him of all but one. Three of the guilty verdicts were by a majority of 10 - 1.

Jailing him Judge Henry Globe, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, said, "You abused their trust in you as a professional osteopath by conducted massages of their groin areas which included deliberately touching their genitals with a sexual motive and intent."

He said that the offences spanned about 11 years ending in 2001 and almost all were specimens of many other occasions on which he indecently assaulted them in a similar manner.

"They spoke of feelings of shame, embarrassment, distress and humiliation and such feelings no doubt caused lack of complaint at the time and delay in making a formal complaint until a late stage."

Judge Globe said that Milward was otherwise of exemplary character and "witness after witness said, not withstanding the offences, you provided considerable pain relief to them."

He ordered Milward, who showed no emotion during the hearing, to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Milward, of Hough House, Hough Street, Deane, Bolton, had been married with two daughters but his marriage came to end in March this year after he admitted he is gay and had had a sexual liasion with another man.

During his 17 day trial prosecutor Susan Klonin told the jury that the offences took place at his holistic clinic, The Natural Therapy Clinic in Atherton beginning in about 1990.

He deliberately touched the victims' genitals during a particular massage technique.

After the two GP's complained to the GOC Milward resigned but when letters asking for job references for him arrived at the clinic another practioner told a policeman friend about her concerns and he referred the matter to the police at Leigh.

Police arrived in September last year and took away various documents and when Milward was told this by a former colleague he said that if they spoke to a particular student patient he would be going to jail. The former student was among those Milward was convicted of molesting.

Milward, formerly of Booth House, Deane, denied all the allegations and told the jury that any touching of their private parts had happened accidentally and had been unavoidable or when he was wiping massage oil off them.

Defending Michael Corkery, QC, that Milward lost his livelihood after resigning and has suffered anxiety and worry ever since the complaints were made to the GOC. As well as his professional life his domestic life has also been destroyed, he said.

"Normally a defendant can rely on his wife and family for support. Not in Stephen Milward's case," said Mr Corkery. His marriage came to an end in March, his eldest daughter will not speak to him and his relationship with his other younger daughter is strained. "That is a terrible punishment and he bears serious scars as a result of that.

"It is a terrible waste of years and years of hard work. He now must register as a sex offender which will hamper any attempt to get any job."

After the hearing Dt Sgt Gary Ashurst, officer in charge, said "I am very pleased with the verdicts, particularly for the victims. It has been difficult for them to come forward."