Diet doctor was 'sexual octopus'

The doctor denies the charge of serious professional misconduct

A mother-of-two has claimed her doctor became a "sexual octopus" and made advances to her.

The alleged victim said Dr Neil Hughes touched and kissed her and plagued her with text messages and calls, the General Medical Council (GMC) heard.

Miss A, 33, originally from Liverpool, first went to see the doctor at his Burnley diet clinic in January 1998.

Dr Hughes, from Bramhall in Stockport, denies serious professional misconduct and any allegations of sexual activity.

Home visits

The GMC fitness to practise hearing, sitting in Manchester, heard Miss A had suffered severe depression in the past and was a vulnerable patient.

She told the hearing that on one occasion she had gone to the clinic a "bit tipsy" wearing a tight dress and suspenders, and Dr Hughes began to touch and kiss her.

"He's like an octopus, every time you saw him, he was like an octopus," she said.

Miss A told the hearing that Dr Hughes had visited her home on two occasions and made sexual advances, despite her attempts to dissuade him.

Statements 'inconsistent'

She also alleged Dr Hughes asked her details of her sexual encounters and made explicit sexual remarks to the effect that he wanted to have sex with her.

On three occasions, after consultations, Dr Hughes wrote in Miss A's medical notes the words "leather kecks" or "In leather kecks", the hearing was told.

Miss A told her ex-husband about his behaviour in November 2003 and made a complaint to the GMC.

Under cross-examination from David Morris, representing Dr Hughes, she conceded there were inconsistencies in the three statements she had given detailing the complaints.

"Because this account you have given, of Dr Hughes sexually assaulting you, is not correct," Mr Morris added.

She replied: "It is correct. To tell me I'm making it up, I think you are incorrect, sir."

The hearing continues.