Our statement on the sentencing of Torben Hersborg

Torben Hersborg was sentenced in relation to 8 offences involving the covert recording of women over a prolonged period. The offences occurred between March 2012 and December 2024, and was carried out across multiple locations including his osteopathic clinic, public spaces, and private residences. This included over 1400 recordings from his Central London osteopathic clinic.

Matthew Redford, Chief Executive and Registrar of the GOsC, said: ‘We were highly concerned to learn during today’s sentencing of additional incidents of patients being filmed. This is such a serious breach of trust with victims unaware that they were being filmed and the fact that this has taking place since 2012. Our fitness to practise processes will now recommence at pace.

‘Any patients affected by this case should contact the Met police where appropriate for further investigation in the first instance. Please call 101 for support and advice.

‘If you have a concern about an osteopath, or have been affected by this case, please contact our trained team who will be able to help you. You can contact us at: regulation@osteopathy.org.uk or 020 7357 6655 x224.’

As the regulator for osteopathy in the UK, our primary role is to protect the public and maintain the public’s confidence in osteopathy. We take action on any concerns reported to us and we have powers to remove or restrict the registration of osteopaths who do not practise to the standards we set.

When we were first made aware of concerns against Torben Hersborg, we began our fitness to practise process. Mr Hersborg was therefore quickly suspended from practising as an osteopath, to protect the public. Now that the court case has concluded, our fitness to practise process will continue and will be considered by the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), which acts independently from the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

The PCC hears all cases concerning criminal convictions and has the power to restrict an osteopath’s registration, or remove a person from the Register of osteopaths which means they cannot legally practise, to protect the public and maintain the public’s confidence in the profession.

We require all osteopaths to meet the Osteopathic Practice Standards which set standards of competence, conduct and ethics for osteopaths to ensure patient safety and public confidence in the osteopathic profession. If a concern is raised that calls this into question, we can investigate this and take action where necessary to protect patients and the public. 

Background

Torben Hersborg who previously practised as an osteopath in central London, had pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London on 23 December 2024 to three charges of spying on women, and a further five charges of the same offence at Snaresbrook Crown Court (May 2025). Mr Hersborg had been remanded in custody until sentencing.

There had been a further extension to the sentencing review due in the Magistrates’ Court on 30 January 2025 to allow police time to understand whether any additional charges should be laid.

When we were made aware of these offences we immediately started our fitness to practise process. Our independent Investigating Committee met on 23 January 2025 to agree an Interim Suspension Order (ISO) for the maximum period of two months, an order that was extended by our Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) when it met on 14 February 2025.

An ISO prevents an individual from practising osteopathy and is now in place for Mr Hersborg until the conclusion of our fitness to practise proceedings. An average case takes about a year to conclude and we are not able to comment while proceedings are underway. Read more about our concerns process.

Free and confidential support

Anyone involved with or affected by this case or any other case involving an osteopath has access to our free and confidential Independent Support Service (call 0300 303 1964). Alternatively, individuals can contact us directly by email at regulation@osteopathy.org.uk or speak to our trained staff by calling our Regulation team directly on 020 7357 6655 x224. Our website also has further information on how to raise a concern with us to help us keep patients and the public safe.

Read our statement from January 2025 about the ongoing case against Torben Hersborg