JOSHUA PEAKE REMOVED FROM MEDICAL REGISTER AFTER OFFENCES IN DERBY
A doctor from Derby has been struck off the medical register following his involvement in a case involving online entrapment and subsequent convictions.Joshua Peake, 32, who qualified as a doctor in 2014 at the University of Nottingham and was employed at Royal Derby Hospital, was caught by a group of paedophile hunters known as TFN UK.
This group posed as a 14-year-old boy online and tracked Peake down after he engaged in sexual conversations and shared explicit photos and videos with the fictitious minor.
After locating him, TFN UK detained Peake on 15 September 2019 and contacted the police.
When officers searched his home, they discovered indecent images of children on his laptops, along with images depicting sexual acts involving animals.
Peake was arrested and later admitted to possessing such material, as well as attempting to communicate with a minor for sexual purposes.
He was prosecuted at Nottingham Crown Court and sentenced on 9 September 2020 to a three-year community order, which included 80 hours of unpaid work, and was subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
Peake also admitted to possessing extreme pornography and attempting to induce a child to view sexual images.
An Independent Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing was held on 11 August, where the General Medical Council (GMC) argued that Peake’s fitness to practise was impaired.
The tribunal found their stance justified, citing the need to protect the public, uphold trust in the medical profession, and maintain professional standards.
The tribunal’s decision noted, "The tribunal is mindful that doctors occupy a position of privilege and trust.
The tribunal considered that a finding of impairment is required in this case on grounds of public protection, to promote and to maintain confidence in the medical profession and to promote and to maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of the profession." Peake was absent from the hearing.
Representing the GMC, David Birrell highlighted that Peake’s misconduct was not isolated, referencing 13 indecent images of children and 26 images depicting sexual acts with animals.
He also pointed out that Peake’s conversations with “Luke,” the pseudonymous 14-year-old, lasted approximately a month.
