A forensic psychologist has provided a disturbing analysis of Dr. Nicholas Chapman, a Taunton-based doctor who was struck off the medical register earlier this summer after putting semen in a colleague’s coffee. The 57-year-old was banned from practicing medicine following a tribunal that revealed he deliberately contaminated a victim’s drink with his DNA-matching semen in 2021.
Chapman was convicted in 2023 at Gloucester Crown Court for engaging in sexual activity without consent. Speaking to The Mirror, Consultant Forensic Psychologist Dr. Ruth Tully offered expert insight into the possible motivations behind Chapman’s behavior. She explains that such covert sexual offenses, especially when linked to previous sexual harassment, are often about exerting power and control over the victim.
“While there may be some sexual arousal involved, the act of secretly contaminating a drink can give the offender a sense of superiority,” Dr. Tully explained. “This behavior likely involved careful planning rather than being impulsive. A person holding such a significant professional position must have strong planning and problem-solving skills, which they likely used to orchestrate the offense.”
READ MORE: Toddler Rescued After Being Accidentally Locked Inside Car
READ MORE: Inside the Ancient Bath Mill That Makes the World’s Safest Paper
The victim, who remains anonymous for legal reasons, recalled noticing a strange salty taste in the coffee and a thick, gloopy substance in the sink after pouring out her drinks. Despite these signs, she was unaware that the substance was semen until much later. She remarked, “I stopped drinking the coffee after the first incident and only poured it away after recognizing the strange residue multiple times over several weeks.”
Dr. Tully, who has extensive experience working with sex offenders, stressed the importance of understanding various factors when evaluating such criminals. “It’s crucial to consider the offender’s attitudes towards women, their sexual history, pornography preferences, and any feelings of loss of control in other areas of life,” she said. “These aspects help in managing the risk of reoffending.”
Speculating further, Dr. Tully suggested that Chapman’s conviction might not be his first offense. “Given his intelligence and the covert nature of the crime, it is entirely possible that he has committed similar acts before without detection.”
This case shines a light on a disturbing form of sexual misconduct, highlighting the dangerous combination of manipulation, secrecy, and abuse of trust within professional environments.