Surrey doctor jailed for six years for assaulting and filming patients in Dorset
Dr Timothy Girling, from West Molesey, abused his victims at a clinic in Bournemouth
Last updated 6th Mar 2026
A sexual health doctor from Surrey, who sexually abused and secretly filmed patients during routine examinations, has been jailed for six years.
Dr Timothy Girling, 55 and of West Molesey, attacked his victims at a medical centre in Bournemouth.
During one appointment for a sexual health examination, he touched a patient inappropriately without their consent.
The victim was led to believe it was part of the medical procedure.
At a later appointment, the same victim heard the sound of a mobile phone beginning to record from behind a curtain and saw a partially-concealed iPhone in Girling’s pocket.
When police seized his phone, they found inappropriate images of other patients.
He had also asked another patient to email him intimate pictures.
He was convicted by a jury at Bournemouth Crown Court of three counts of sexual assault against four patients, six counts of voyeurism, and one count of attempted voyeurism.
Girling also later pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
A number of these were found on his laptop, and they included Category A photographs - the most serious possible,
Lucy Paddick, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “A doctor’s duty is to care for patients, not exploit them, and Timothy Girling repeatedly violated that fundamental trust.
“These sexual offences, carried out under the guise of legitimate medical practice, were deeply calculated.
“He manipulated vulnerable individuals and exploited them in clinical sittings – a place where they should feel safe and secure.
“In court, we showed how he used his professional position to facilitate this offending and secretly record intimate examinations.
“We hope these convictions demonstrate that such abuse of authority will be robustly prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service.”
Detective Constable Kit Little, of Dorset Police, added: “Timothy Girling was in a position of trust as a sexual health doctor and exploited this by inappropriately touching and making recordings of his victims.
“We have worked tirelessly since the initial report was first made in August 2023 to investigate Girling’s offending, identify further victims where possible and bring him to justice.
“This would not have been possible without the strength and courage of the victims, who supported our investigation and the court process to ensure Girling was ultimately held to account.
“I want to thank them as well as the health services involved who have supported our comprehensive investigation.”