Doctor, 63, who had sexual relationship with vulnerable female patient is jailed

29 February 2024 , 22:11

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Dr Francis Bailey, 63, has been jailed after having a sexual relationship with a "very young, vulnerable woman" (Image: PA)

A GP who had a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient has been jailed for two years and two months.

Dr Francis Bailey, of Lyvelly Gardens, Peterborough, pursued the young woman after she had been discharged as an inpatient from a psychiatric unit. The 63-year-old gave the woman his personal phone number and took her for a drive after she messaged to say she was feeling suicidal, before embarking on a five-month sexual relationship.

Cambridgeshire Police said that on the day after the woman left the psychiatric unit, Bailey and a colleague visited her at home for a welfare check. Two weeks later, in December 2021, the victim attended a consultation with Bailey at Park Medical Centre in Peterborough. He gave the woman, who had a history of poor mental health, his personal phone number and said to call or message if she needed help through the crisis. Bailey also prescribed medication including anti-depressants.

The victim messaged Bailey’s number days later as she felt suicidal, so he picked her up and they went for a drive while he advised her what to do, Cambridgeshire Police said. After dropping the victim off, Bailey gave her a hug and, the following day, they met again and embarked on a five-month sexual relationship while he continued to prescribe her medication, the force said.

Bailey, who qualified as a GP 20 years ago, was discovered after a friend saw some of the messages. In May 2022, he was admitted to hospital and asked the friend to take him some of his belongings, including an old phone. The friend saw messages between him and the victim and after confronting him, Bailey admitted to having a relationship with the patient but tried to say she had been blackmailing him.

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The following month, the police were alerted to what had been happening, and Bailey was arrested at his home in June 2022. Cambridgeshire Police said Bailey admitted to three counts of a care worker engaging in sexual activity with a mentally disordered female and was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was sentenced to two years and two months in prison and was also given a 10-year restraining order, the force said. Detective Constable Helen Williams, who investigated, said: “Francis Bailey was a trusted doctor who took advantage of a very young, vulnerable woman. He abused his position of power for his own sexual gratification. I would like to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward.”

Ryan Fahey