The former partner of Salil Korambayil, the NHS surgeon convicted of rape, has opened up about the profound deception and emotional abuse she experienced during their relationship. Angharad, the mother of his child, shared a harrowing account of discovering Korambayil's crimes and his sophisticated methods of manipulation, expressing a deep fear that there may be other victims.
Angharad met Korambayil in October 2016 at East Surrey Hospital, where she was a newly qualified nurse and he a junior doctor. She described him as initially charming, supportive, and caring, quickly integrating into her life and meeting her family. Their relationship progressed, with Angharad moving to north Devon in 2019 to live with Korambayil, where they both worked at the same hospital. She recalled his thoughtful gestures, such as preparing dinner and leaving notes after her shifts.
However, Angharad noted that signs of Korambayil's duplicity began to emerge. He would pre-emptively dismiss rumours about his behaviour, both professionally and personally, presenting himself as a victim. When confronted with evidence of him being seen with other women, he would reassure her, making her feel secure. Looking back, Angharad now understands these actions as a clear pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse, designed to control and mislead her, making her doubt her own perceptions.
The first formal accusation against Korambayil came in August 2020, when a woman reported rape to Devon and Cornwall Police. Angharad, who was pregnant at the time, was told by Korambayil that it was a "malicious allegation" – a lie she believed. Their child was born in November 2020, a period Angharad described as leaving her feeling particularly vulnerable. The truth began to unravel in April 2021 when Korambayil was suspended from work, initially claiming it was for minor infringements related to accessing patient information. Hours later, he was arrested on suspicion of rape, leading Angharad to leave their home with their baby, feeling scared and betrayed.
Korambayil was charged with three counts of rape involving two women a year later. At the close of 2023, he was found guilty and sentenced to 14 years in prison. However, in October, his conviction was overturned on appeal after new evidence, obtained through a private investigator, was deemed by judges to be relevant and previously withheld from the jury. A retrial was subsequently granted, leading to a second conviction. His defence barrister admitted in court that Korambayil had "lied heavily" to his partner.