A BARNSLEY dentist who failed to tell a governing body about his harassment conviction has been given a warning for bringing the profession’s standards into disrepute.

Anthony Cale, of Gorse Bank Farm, Hepworth, runs A J Cale and Associates on Racecommon Road, near Barnsley town centre.

The 62-year-old denied harassing Janet Cale between September and October of last year, who he was married to for 17 years up until their divorce in April.

However, he was found guilty following a trial at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court in June the second time in two years he has been convicted of harassing Mrs Cale after he was fined £900 in 2016.

For his latest offence, he received a 12-month community order, which includes a two-year restraining order, and 40 hours of community service as well as a 35-hour rehabilitation activity requirement to prevent further offending.

But Cale, who was obliged to inform the General Dental Council (GDC), did not relay details of his conviction and an investigation was carried out by case examiners from the body.

A statement from the GDC said: “The case examiners considered allegations that the registrant’s fitness to practise was impaired by reason of misconduct and conviction.

“The allegations related to the conviction for harassment and a failure to inform the GDC of the conviction, which it was alleged was misleading and dishonest.

“It was determined that there was a real prospect of the factual allegations being found proved, and of the statutory grounds of misconduct and conviction being established by a practice committee.

“The case examiners have reminded themselves that the registrant has been dealt with by the criminal justice system and that it is not their role, or the purpose of the fitness to practise process, to punish the registrant for a second time.

“However, to close the case without action would fail to take into account the need to declare and uphold proper standards of conduct, and the need to maintain public confidence in the dental profession.”

The GDC said Cale’s conviction, and his subsequent failure to report it, was ‘unacceptable’.

“The case examiners consider that a conviction for harassment, and a failure to report the conviction to the GDC, which may have been misleading or dishonest, is unacceptable.

“This demonstrated a lack of judgement, as well as risking harm to the reputation of the dental professions amongst members of the public.

“A warning in this case is necessary to declare and uphold proper standards of behaviour and conduct, as well as to mark the serious impact which illegal behaviour can have on the reputation of the profession.

“We consider that publication of the warning for a period of 12 months is appropriate and proportionate in the circumstances and will ensure that a message is sent to the registrant and to the wider profession regarding the importance of maintaining appropriate standards of behaviour.”