GOC erases North Shields based optometrist from register

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to erase Richard Carr, an optometrist based in North Shields from its register.

A GOC Fitness to Practise Committee found his fitness to practise impaired by reason of receiving a conviction. Mr Carr was convicted of Voyeurism (installing equipment / constructing / adapting a structure) under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in October 2023. This is in relation to installing a recording device in a women’s toilet at his workplace, for the purposes of sexual gratification, to observe another person doing a private act, knowing that person did not consent to being observed for sexual gratification.

Mr Carr has until 25 November 2024 to appeal against his erasure, during which time he is suspended from the register under an immediate suspension order.