Woman alleges former GP, struck off for sexual misconduct, attempted to ‘choke’ her

Warning: This article contains text of a sexual nature A woman has accused a general practitioner, previously removed from the medical register due to sexual encounters with several women at his practice, of trying to choke her during a sexual act. The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, encountered Thomas Plimmer through a dating application in 2017. She asserted that during a sexual encounter at her residence on their second date, he “started squeezing my throat” without her permission. Mr. Plimmer stated that, based on legal counsel, he could not provide a comment because of his active appeal against his removal from the medical register. At a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing, the former general practitioner confessed to transmitting explicit material to colleagues, engaging in sexual activity during work hours, and acting improperly towards women. The tribunal’s ruling concerning Mr. Plimmer, who practiced in Swindon, followed complaints lodged by multiple women with the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Records from the 2023 hearing indicate that he confronted accusations from numerous women spanning May 2018 to February 2021, and the GMC characterized him as an “accomplished liar” regarding these women. Even after being struck off, Mr. Plimmer continued to recommend that a private therapy patient purchase prescription-only sleeping medication. In a consultation, which was covertly recorded by BBC West, he also neglected to disclose that he was no longer listed on the medical register. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, the woman recounted that during their second date at her residence, after she opened the door, “he came in and he pushed me up against the wall and had his hand on my throat”. She stated, “I was a little concerned as we had not had any discussion about that and he was kissing me quite forcefully as well.” She continued, “I did make it known that was not of any interest to me and he did apologise so I allowed him to stay in my house as he did seem genuinely remorseful.” However, during a subsequent sexual act, she reported: “He was behind me and grabbed hold of my throat and started squeezing my throat, which again was not something that had been discussed or that I was comfortable with. “So I was trying to dig my hand behind his hand and he did let go.” She further commented: “I was worried he was going to cut off my airway. I was kind of held, literally held with one hand on the whole of my throat from behind and obviously that is not a very comfortable angle, it is not something we had discussed.” Individuals impacted by this account can find assistance through the BBC Action Line. She additionally alleged that Mr. Plimmer transmitted images and videos to her depicting him engaging in sexual activity with multiple women. She stated: “About six of them [the images] were completely out of my comfort zone and I was quite shocked and disgusted to be perfectly honest. So I ended up blocking him.” The woman expressed apprehension that she might have been recorded, having observed Mr. Plimmer with his phone during private moments. She reported having lodged a complaint with his medical practice in Swindon. Subsequently, the woman researched Mr. Plimmer online and found an article he had authored discussing his self-identification as a sex addict. During the MPTS hearing, Dr. Plimmer acknowledged engaging in sexual relations with other colleagues during work hours and dispatching unrequested intimate photographs, captured at work, to another woman. Evidence established that Mr. Plimmer had threatened one of the women, informing another that if someone “takes me to the GMC, I’ll slit her throat. I know where she lives.” In 2018, the tribunal determined that he had entered the office of a colleague, identified as Miss A, and unexpectedly displayed a video of himself engaged in sexual activity with another woman. It was also found that he had positioned her hand on his groin without her consent after remarking to her: “I have something that would cheer you up.” Mr. Plimmer has chosen not to comment on the woman’s accusations, citing his impending appeal against the GMC’s decision to strike him off the medical register. For updates, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.