GMC panel agrees to Andrew Hockton’s submission to throw out allegations of sexual assault against paediatrician
11th November 2015
At a hearing before the Fitness to Practise Panel of the GMC between 2nd and 10th November 2015, the complainant (Patient A), who was a young mother who had just given birth, made an allegation of indecent assault against the Respondent, who was working at the time as a locum SHO in paediatrics. It was alleged that the doctor had rubbed her back and touched/held her breast for 2-3 minutes and that his conduct was deliberate and sexually motivated. Patient A alleged that the assault took place while she was breast-feeding.
The Fitness to Practise Panel acceded substantially to the application made on behalf of the doctor to throw out the allegations at the close of the Council’s case under rule 17(2)(g) of the FTP Rules. The panel concluded that the many inconsistencies in Patient A’s various accounts rendered her evidence so weak and inconsistent as to be insufficient for the case, in relation to the main allegations, to proceed.
A single remaining factual allegation concerning chaperoning, that was not thrown out at the close of the Council’s case, was also found not proved. Accordingly, the case was closed with no adverse finding.
The case attracted extensive publicity in the national and local press.
The doctor was represented by Andrew Hockton, instructed by Angela Pilling of Ryan Solicitors.
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