A Scots doctor groped a female patient's breasts while performing a chest examination.
Colin Wilson has been struck off after he touched the woman at his surgery in Oban, Argyll.
The lady had been attending with her three-year-old son who had a chesty cough and shortness of breath.
After examining the child, Wilson then carried out a check-up of the woman, known only as Patient A, who had complained about a sore throat and swollen glands.
But following a throat examination, she was left stunned when the medic put his hands up her jumper and t-shirt and cupped her breasts in December 2017.
The woman left Lorn Medical Centre and told her partner what had happened before police were contacted along with the practice, NHS Highland and the General Medical Council (GMC).
In a statement to the GMC, the woman, who required counselling after the incident, said: "His entire hand covered or cupped the whole of my left breast.
"His hand was over my bra; his knuckles were in line with the bra line and the top part of his fingers touched my skin over the bra.
"He completely cupped my breast and his fingers were on top of/over the bra as I could feel his fingers on my skin.
"It was literally just a grab and then he then took his hand out of my clothes"
Wilson, who qualified as a doctor from Glasgow University in 1978, was interviewed by police under caution but was not charged with any criminal offence and returned to work in January 2018.
He was hauled before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) who ruled his behaviour was sexually motivated and struck him off for professional misconduct.
Wilson did not give evidence to the virtual disciplinary hearing after receiving legal advice on self-incrimination which could potentially corroborate a criminal case against him.
But during questioning of the woman at the tribunal, Wilson's lawyer said: "The second matter I just want to say is to give you an apology because whatever happened there, rightly or wrongly, you were clearly upset by this encounter and you shouldn't have been upset and Dr Wilson, through me, wants to apologise to you because ultimately, whatever happens in that room he is responsible to ensure you are comfortable and you understand everything."
The panel concluded Wilson had 'no medical reason' to have placed his hands on her breasts during the examination and he was described as being 'flustered' following the incident.
In a written ruling, MPTS panel chairman Nathan Moxon said: "The tribunal considered Dr Wilson's sexual assault of Patient A which included physical touching, under clothing and over her bra, without her consent and in the presence of her young child.
"The tribunal was in no doubt that Dr Wilson's misconduct was a serious breach of good medical practice.
"The tribunal found that Patient A was a reliable, balanced and measured witness and took account of her reaction, namely that she was 'greatly upset and alarmed', when she realised that Dr Wilson would be returning to work.
"The tribunal noted that following the incident Patient A underwent counselling as a result of Dr Wilson's sexual assault.
"Dr Wilson violated Patient A's right and exploited her vulnerability as a female patient."
He added: "The tribunal considered that the gravity and seriousness of Dr Wilson's sexual misconduct outweighs his previous good character.
"The tribunal is of the opinion that sexually assaulting a patient, albeit against the background of an otherwise good doctor, to be egregious.
"The public interest in promoting and maintaining public confidence in the medical profession outweighed the public interest in retaining an otherwise competent practitioner.
"The tribunal determined therefore that the misconduct proved against Dr Wilson combined with the lack of adequate insight, reflection and remediation on his part is so serious that his behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with his continued registration as a doctor.
"Accordingly, the tribunal determined to erase Dr Wilson's name from the medical register."
In July last year Wilson, of Oban, made headlines after he stepped down as an RNLI volunteer after 30 years.
He completed 12,668 miles and spent more than 1,100 hours attending 660 call outs in his role.
Wilson had retired as a doctor before the disciplinary proceedings against him.
