Doctor who strapped ecstasy pills to scrotum allowed to resume practice

[link to www.telegraph.co.uk]

Doctor who strapped ecstasy pills to scrotum allowed to resume practice
A doctor who strapped ecstasy pills to his scrotum to avoid detection has been allowed to resume unrestricted practice.

Last Updated: 6:46PM GMT 20 Mar 2009

Peter Windross, 35, vowed never to take drugs again after he was caught by sniffer dogs at Homelands, Hampshire in May 2005, the General Medical Council heard.

He was subject to three years of drug screenings after a fitness to practise ruling in 2006.

Windross later admitted he "consumed a powdery substance" while on holiday with his brother in Ibiza.

Christopher Hamlet, for the GMC, said: "He claims his judgement was impaired by virtue of alcohol, and bitterly regretted his transgression.

"It reflects a lack of insight into the importance these matters have on his professional status. It also casts his previous unequivocal commitments not to indulge in prohibited drugs again in a very poor light.'

Windross, of Alton, Hampshire, admitted taking ecstasy while on holiday and told an earlier hearing his fitness to practice was impaired.

He had also described the 'horrendous' moment he was picked out from a crowd of thousands by sniffer dogs attracted to his scrotum.

He was searched and officers discovered a bag of ecstasy pills strapped to his genitals.

The doctor then revealed he had more ecstasy at home, as well as 2.8 grams of cannabis resin, and 0.4 grams of skunk weed.

He was sentenced to 40 hours community service after pleading guilty to possession at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on May 28, 2005.

The doctor also accepted a police caution after admitting possession of cannabis resin and herbal cannabis at Alton police station on July 8, 2005.

After his first transgression the panel ruled Windross' could only practice subject to conditions.

After the incident in Ibiza became known he was suspended for eight months.

Windross currently lectures at Southampton University.