A plastic surgeon who intentionally injured his patients during breast surgery has had his jail term increased to 20 years.

Ian Paterson was initially sentenced to 15 years at the Nottingham Crown Court in May 2017. He was charged with 17 counts of wounding with intent.

This month, the Appeal Court judges said this was “not sufficient” to reflect the seriousness of his crime and added an additional five years.

One of the judges, Lady Justice Hallett, described Paterson’s treatment of his patients as “brutal and sustained”.

Mr Paterson appeared at the Court of Appeal via video link.

The court case centred on 10 patients who were treated at private hospitals operated by Spire Healthcare. Prior to this, Paterson worked as a surgeon for the NHS and treated over 4,000 patients.

To date, his victims have received almost £10 million in compensation from the NHS. Later this year, more than 600 private patients will pursue civil action against the disgraced plastic surgeon.

At the first trial in April, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said, “Without any regard for the long-term effects, you deliberately preyed on [your] patients’ long-term fears.”

“You can be a charming and charismatic individual but you deliberately used those characteristics to manipulate your patients.”

Complaints and concerns about the doctor had been raised for years prior to his arrest. A 2013 report said the NHS trust that employed him, “preferred good news to true news”.

Michael Saul, from Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, said, “This is the very worst kind of abuse and we extend our very deepest sympathies to everyone affected by Paterson’s gross wrongdoing.”

“We congratulate the Court of Appeals for extending his sentence, and hope his victims can find some comfort in this,” Mr Saul added.

If you have been the victim of negligent breast surgery, get in touch with Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors to investigate your legal rights. Call us on 0808 189 7704, or complete our online enquiry form to request a call back.