A GP who touched a mentally ill woman after getting into bed with her has been struck off by the General Medical Council (GMC).
Dr David Levan put his hands down her pyjamas as she slept, the Fitness to Practise Panel in Manchester was told.
The victim, who can only be referred to as Ms A, was a patient at the Barley Fields Medical Centre in Stockton-on-Tees, and suffered from depression.
She had been friends with Dr Levan for more than 20 years, but he went into her house in April 2006 after her father became concerned about her wellbeing.
Libby Nicholls, counsel for the GMC, told the panel the incident occurred “at a time when Ms A was still probably on a prescription for antidepressants”.
Dr Levan got in by using a set of keys given to him by Ms A so he could take her dog for a walk, she added.
The GMC ruled: “The panel has heard no evidence that Dr Levan has acknowledged his misconduct or expressed remorse and shame.
“The panel considers that he has abused his position as a doctor by exploiting Ms A’s vulnerability.
“The panel is in no doubt that Dr Levan breached the fundamental trust which patients should be able to place in doctors.”
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