Child porn doctor is struck off

A DOCTOR who downloaded child pornography has been permanently struck off the register.

Dr Adrian Catterall, 49, of Litlington, was convicted of downloading 130 pornographic images in 2003.

After serving a suspension, he returned to work on the condition that he did not treat anyone under the age of 16.

However, this was found to be "unworkable", and he has not practiced since 2006.

On Tuesday, a General Medical Council (GMC) fitness to practice panel decided that the only "appropriate, sufficient, and proportionate sanction" for the doctor was "permanent erasure from the register".

Dr Catterall had reportedly asked to be suspended indefinitely, describing permanent erasure as "brutal and final", and saying he had no plans to prolong his career in medicine. He has 28 days to appeal.

When announcing its decision, the GMC panel said: "The panel has concluded that there is a need for finality. The offending behaviour has been very serious.

"The panel is mindful that, since the commencement of proceedings, Dr Catterall has been subject to periods of conditional registration and suspensions. However, sanctions imposed to date have proved to be inappropriate, insufficient, and unworkable.

"Mindful of the need to protect patients and maintain and uphold public confidence in the conduct and behaviour of the profession, the panel is satisfied that the only appropriate, sufficient and proportionate sanction is erasure from the medical register."

At a hearing at Cambridge Magistrates' Court in March 2003, Dr Catterall, who was working at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage at the time, pleaded guilty to 16 charges of making indecent photographs of children.

He avoided a jail term, but was given a three-year community rehabilitation order, and placed on the sex offenders register for five years.