DODGSON: PSCYHOLOGIST PAID PATIENT FOR SEXUAL FAVOURS AFTER RELEASE FROM PRISON

A psychologist paid a former patient for sexual favours after preparing a report on his mental health while he was in prison, a hearing was told.

Philip Dodgson is accused of meeting up with the man, identified as Prisoner X, and having sexual contact with him during a woodland walk in exchange for cash.

The psychologist, from Brighton, had allegedly made sexual comments while interviewing the prisoner and later kept in touch with him by text message and phone calls.

Prisoner X met up with Dodgson on his release in 2004, the Health Professions Council heard.

Details of the allegations were found in a brown paper envelope in the psychologist’s personnel file by Sussex Partnership Trust bosses in October 2009.

It contained notes from a disciplinary hearing held by South Down NHS Health Trust in 2005, in which Dodgson had allegedly been found guilty of the offences.

But his then employers decided no further action would be needed, it was said.

Laura Ryan, for the HPC, said the details had emerged as managers reviewed Dodgson’s files in preparation for his retirement.

She said: ‘The letter stated that during a prison assessment of Prisoner X in June 2004, he made inappropriate advances and comments towards the client.’

It went on to reveal how he had contacted Prisoner X and met up with him on his release.

An investigation was launched by manager Kay MacDonald, who suspended Dodgson until his retirement in December 2009.

Giving evidence, Dr MacDonald said: ‘What I had to do was work on the letter as agreed fact – I had no knowledge of the background of how it happened.

‘I had to immediately safeguard anyone who might be affected by Dr Dodgson’s practise, so made sure he had no contact with clinical information or clinical areas.’

When she confronted him about the letter, she said, his demeanour ‘clearly reflected his regret at his actions.’

She added: ‘He offered up explanations, he offered up his concerns about how it would reflect on his family, his professional status.

‘I was concerned about his well-being, the level of regret he expressed.’

Dr MacDonald went on to criticize the South Downs NHS Trust, now part of the Sussex Partnership Trust, for not contacting any professional bodies about Dodgson’s conduct.

The psychologist, who is undergoing daily radiotherapy for cancer, was excused on health grounds from the hearing in London today.

He was represented by barrister Paul Spencer, who said his client denied all the charges and the previous investigation had been inconclusive.

Dodgson was accused of making sexual comments to prisoner X, asking to contact him on release, contacting him and then obtaining sexual favours for money.

If he is found guilty and his fitness to practise is seen as impaired, he could face being struck off.

Dodgson had interviewed Sussex police officer Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet, 54 in March 2009 before the officer killed himself.

Mr Torbet had been accused of stealing a bottle of wine from Marks and Spencer.

He was referred to Dodgson who described him as ‘old school who dealt with trauma by putting it away in boxes.’

Dodgson also diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress and a depressive disorder and said presented a low to medium risk of suicide.

The hearing continues.
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