A former doctor, identified only as Um, has been permanently removed from the medical register following a disturbing pattern of secretly filming individuals. He served an 18-month prison sentence after being found guilty of these offenses, a case that revealed a calculated and deeply troubling breach of trust.
The investigation uncovered a network of hidden cameras meticulously placed within a rented flat. One camera was concealed inside a smoke detector, while others were cleverly disguised within bathroom air fresheners, all focused on areas of privacy – the shower and toilet.
Between November 2020 and August 2023, Um surreptitiously recorded 21 men and nine women, including four practicing doctors. His initial act involved filming a showering individual through a window using a mobile phone, escalating into a more sophisticated and insidious operation.
The scheme began to unravel when a victim, renting a room through Airbnb, noticed the unusual positioning of two air fresheners. Their suspicion led to the discovery of the hidden cameras and ultimately, Um’s arrest.
Previously attributing his actions to Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Um recently admitted, in evidence presented to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), that his motivations were, in fact, sexually driven. He confessed to suppressing his sexual needs and deriving pleasure from the illicit recordings.
“I now accept that at that time I was suppressing sexual needs as part of my denial of sexual gratification,” Um stated. He acknowledged a duality of motivation, but conceded he had previously overemphasized his BDD to explain his behavior.
He expressed deep regret for the harm caused to his victims, offering a sincere apology. “I fully understand the negative impacts they must have had on my victims. I deeply regret what I have done to them.”
The MPTS tribunal, chaired by Claire Lindley, determined a “high risk” of reoffending, noting Um remains on license and is registered as a sex offender. The panel concluded that the public would be shocked if his impairment wasn’t acknowledged.
Lindley emphasized that Um’s actions fundamentally undermined public trust in the medical profession and professional standards. Unless he demonstrates complete remediation, patients would remain at risk, solidifying the decision to erase him from the medical register.
The tribunal’s decision underscores the severity of the offenses and the paramount importance of safeguarding public confidence in healthcare professionals. It serves as a stark warning against any abuse of trust within the medical field.
