A doctor has pleaded guilty to secretly recording staff members using the washroom at the Saanich Plaza Medical Clinic.
Mark David Thiessen pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism Thursday in Victoria provincial court. The charge stems from an August 2015 incident when an employee saw a phone she knew belonged to Thiessen positioned near a toilet.
Acting Sgt. Jereme W Leslie said Saanich Police conducted an investigation into the allegation, recommending a charge of voyeurism to Crown counsel midway through last year.
“In this particular set of circumstances, this was a single incident, and that is what we recommended charges for,” said Leslie, adding there was no evidence the behaviour had taken place over an extended period.
“The matter is before the courts and I wouldn’t want to negatively impact any outcome there, so I can’t speak any further on the matter or any of the investigative details.”
Thiessen no longer works at the Saanich clinic and is now practising at the Admirals Medical Clinic in View Royal. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. requires a chaperone to be present throughout all of his physical examinations of female patients. A college spokesman said it was waiting for the conclusion of the criminal proceedings before taking further action on the matter.
Thiessen is scheduled to be back in court Jan. 11.