A doctor who acknowledges struggling with a ‘sex addiction’ has drawn parallels between his behavior and the late actor Matthew Perry’s battle with drug addiction. Thomas Plimmer, 40, is currently facing a tribunal hearing in relation to several misconduct charges, including allegations of engaging in sexual activity during work hours when he should have been attending to patients. Despite admitting to sexual misconduct, Plimmer maintains that he never crossed boundaries with patients, stating, ‘My behavior was sexual. But I tried very hard to keep my compulsive behaviour out of the workplace as much as I could.’ He acknowledges the inappropriateness of his actions, particularly within the workplace, saying, ‘To do it at work was even worse.’ Plimmer emphasizes that he tried to maintain separation between his personal life and professional responsibilities, asserting, ‘Of course I had firm boundaries I kept in place – patient interactions, where I did not transgress.’ He compares his situation to Perry’s drug addiction, stating that while Perry refrained from using heroin, he himself recognized that engaging in sexual activity with patients would have detrimental consequences for his career. The tribunal has heard testimony from a colleague of Plimmer’s, referred to as Miss A, who alleges that the weekly sex meetings were unwanted and sometimes forced. Miss A claims she felt groomed into the sexual encounters and treated like a ‘sex object.’ Plimmer, however, maintains that all acts were consensual. Miss A describes the power imbalance in their relationship and her reluctance to resist, stating, ‘It was completely ingrained, it was self-protection, it was easier to do what you are asked.’ The tribunal has determined that the case against Plimmer is ‘proved and determined’ in relation to some of the counts, while ‘not proven’ in relation to others. The tribunal chair, Claire Lindley, described the outcome as ‘complicated,’ confirming that Plimmer sent an unsolicited video of himself engaging in sexual intercourse with another woman while at work, exposed himself, and masturbated in front of Miss A. An allegation that he suggested she visit a ‘Futurama’ suicide booth was also proven. However, allegations of kissing, touching, exposing himself in front of her, and two allegations of penetration, all without consent, were not proven. Threats to disclose information to her husband and slamming a door to hit her arm were also not proven. Abusing a more senior position and using his power over her were also found not to be proven. Plimmer acknowledges engaging in oral sex with another woman, Miss B, in the GP surgery during working hours and admits to having sex with another woman, Miss C. He also admits to sending an unsolicited photo of his penis taken at work to another woman, Miss E. The tribunal also heard evidence of Plimmer threatening Miss F, saying, ‘If that c**t takes me to the GMC I’ll slit her throat. I know where she lives.’ Plimmer attributes his actions to his sex addiction, stating, ‘Seeking out sexual activity felt like a need, and I did lie in order to get that need met, and I was not honest with people to get that need met.’ However, he acknowledges the wrongfulness of his behavior, saying, ‘I was a doctor absolutely, and I have a responsibility to be professional and to act in a way that upholds the standards of the profession, and I fell well short of that on many occasions.’ The tribunal is set to resume tomorrow.
Doctor Compares ‘Sex Addiction’ to Matthew Perry’s Drug Addiction, Faces Misconduct Charges
