A psychotherapist has appeared in court charged with rape and indecent assault.

Christopher Allison of Risby in Suffolk, was called the "Casanova of the therapy world" by a patient, Winchester Crown Court heard.

The 60-year-old denies seven charges of rape, 14 charges of indecent assault and one charge of attempted rape.

The assaults are alleged to have taken place between 1982 and 1999 when the doctor worked at two clinics - Gossington Road in Canterbury, Kent and Fairfields Clinic in Basingstoke.

I may be sick, and I have problems, but you are a lot sicker than me

Miss D former patient

Charles Gabb, prosecuting, told the court that one alleged victim, named as Miss D, had taped a telephone conversation with Mr Allison.

In the transcript from February 1988, which was read out in court Miss D said: "You definitely did not use me for sex?"

Mr Allison: "No, I did not."

Miss D: "You promise that?"

Mr Allison: "I promise that."

Earlier, the court had heard that Miss D was one of nine alleged victims of Mr Allison at his Canterbury clinic.

More complaints

The jury was told that Miss D complained about Mr Allison after he had groped her in his consulting room and she had fought back.

Mr Gabb told the court that Miss D pushed him away and told him vehemently: "I may be sick, and I have problems, but you are a lot sicker than me."

Miss A also complained to her GP about Allison and said they had sex.

On 15 February 1988 Mr Allison was suspended from work.

Struck off

Mr Gabb told the court Mr Allison had resigned from his post in Kent giving the undertaking he would never work in the NHS again.

This meant that no action was taken over the complaints made by his patients.

But after Mr Allison set up a private clinic in Basingstoke three more women made complaints of assault.

In 1999 one woman, Miss H, went to the police and in September 2000 she gave evidence at a GMC hearing where Mr Allison was struck off.

After this Miss I, a 17-year-old, also went to the police prompting an investigation.

The trial continues.