A top doctor has been found not guilty of slapping a nine-year-old girl round the face at Epsom Hospital last year.

Dr Hossam Dabis, 62, an orthopaedic surgeon from Sutton, was cleared of accusations that he hit a girl after a two-day trial at South East Surrey Magistrates’ Court last week.

Dr Dabis told the court he definitely did not slap the girl accompanied by father, mother, sister and brother in hospital room in August.

He said: "It never happened. It’s inconceivable that I would slap a child in a clinic."

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared by video link during the trial to describe how the doctor suddenly slapped her cheek.

When asked why the family would make up these allegations, Dr Dabis said: "I have not got the foggiest idea."

During cross examination he said: "I cannot recall any problems in the consultation. The family were fine, the children were fine."

He added: "I treated her the same way as I treat my grandchildren."

Dr Dabis, of Golf Side, Sutton, had been excluded from working at Epsom and St Helier Hospital NHS Trust until the matter was resolved.

South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre's website describes Dr Dabis as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with an interest in joint replacements and the proud father of two doctors.

It said: "He is in continual contact with the international orthopaedic surgeons to exchange the latest ideas and the advanced surgical skills to improve the quality of services to his patients."