A man has denied assaulting children while carrying out circumcisions in the community.
Mohammad Siddiqui, 54, of Birmingham, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and denied 40 charges relating to 24 procedures between April 2015 and January 2019.
They include child neglect and ill-treatment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and administering prescription-only anaesthetic when not an appropriate practitioner, the court heard.
The court was told Siddiqui faces allegations of poor hygiene practice and operating in a way which caused unnecessary pain and suffering to children aged between a few days old and 15 years old.
The alleged offences took place privately across the West Midlands in the Muslim community and in some Christian communities, the court heard.
Bearded Siddiqui, of Anchor Crescent, Winson Green, appeared in the dock wearing a dark suit and a religious skullcap, shaking his head and folding his arms throughout the proceedings.
He was bailed by district judge Sam Goozee, to appear at Southwark Crown Court on January 7.