American surgeon found guilty of manslaughter in Australian court

An American doctor accused of botching a string of operations while he was the chief surgeon at an Australian hospital was found guilty yesterday of killing three of his patients and grievously harming another.

Jayant Patel, 60, was ordered into police custody until sentencing tomorrow after a jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges against him.

Patel had denied three counts of manslaughter and one of causing grievous bodily harm to four patients he treated as director of surgery between 2003 and 2005 at a public hospital in Queensland state. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The trial came more than 25 years after questions were first raised about Patel's competency. The trial heard that he had been banned by US authorities from carrying out some of the procedures he undertook when he later moved to Australia.