A Saanich doctor has pleaded guilty to trying to secretly record staff members using the washroom in his clinic.
Mark David Thiessen pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of secretly observing or recording nudity in a private place.
In an agreed statement of facts, Crown prosecutor Patrick Weir said that on Aug. 18, 2015, Thiessen placed his cellphone in the corner of the washroom in a failed attempt to record staff members using the toilet in the Saanich Plaza Medical Clinic.
One female staff member used the washroom before another female staff member, who was about to use the washroom, spotted the cellphone.
“The cellphone was positioned in a way to permit the recording of the person’s buttocks and genitals as they were about to sit down on the toilet,” the statement said. The screen was black and it did not look like it was recording.
The staff member recognized it as Thiessen’s cellphone and returned it to him. Thiessen told her he was sorry.
Thiessen left the clinic and travelled to a Chemainus motel, where he tried to take his own life. He was in hospital for 10 days.
Police apprehended Thiessen and seized Thiessen’s cellphone. They did not find any videos or photos of anyone using the toilet. An 11-minute video was found that showed Thiessen placing the phone near the toilet.
Weir said the prosecution is recommending a suspended sentence, including 12 months of probation and counselling.
On RateMDs.com, a website where people can post reviews about physicians, many people have posted comments saying Thiessen has been their family doctor for 20 or more years.
Several patients commended him for his care, attention and compassion. Some patients said they were frustrated when Thiessen took an unexplained leave of absence.
Thiessen is still licensed to practise medicine, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. said Thursday. He is currently practising at the Admirals Medical Clinic in View Royal.
“Dr. Mark Thiessen currently holds a licence to practise, but he was required to have a chaperone approved by the college present continuously throughout all complete physical examinations, sensitive examinations and all examinations requiring any disrobing by female patients,” said college spokeswoman Susan Prins.
Prins called the charges against Thiessen “a deeply troubling situation.” The college suspended its own investigation until criminal proceedings concluded, she said. “This recent admission of guilt will now be brought before the inquiry committee of the college for its further direction.”
After a hearing, a disciplinary committee could decide whether to impose conditions on Thiessen or suspend his licence. He will be sentenced at a later date.
