Demetris Costa Hapeshi, formerly a tutor at London Metropolitan University, in Holloway Road, avoided being stuck off at a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) hearing on Tuesday last week, despite discussing sexual preferences with students, kissing one and getting her phone number from the university’s system for his personal use.
The senior social work lecturer at the Holloway college, thought to be in his 50s, made the advances on a night out in December 2012 with his cohort, the panel heard.
A group of lecturers and students were engaging in “teasing and questioning of a socially and sexually challenging nature”, before leaving for another venue.
At around 10.30pm, one student went to the toilet where she told her friends that Mr Hapeshi had spoken about the possibility of them having a relationship.
As she was leaving, the panel was told Mr Hapeshi kissed her on the lips – although he insisted it was on the cheek – and later called the student after getting her number from the university’s database.
He acknowledged this was a “rash” thing to do and admitted there had been discussions which included “sex toys”, but he disputed the context. He said the three complainants questioned him about his sexual preferences – something they deny – and “no-one appeared upset by the events”.
The HCPC ruled that Mr Hapeshi kissed the student on the lips inappropriately and obtained her mobile number, both with sexual motivations, and that he discussed his sexual preferences with students.
It said allegations he had discussed sexual fantasies were not proven, and that the university allows relationships between students and lecturers, so it wasn’t inappropriate for him to pursue one with the complainant. It ruled there was no misconduct, and there would be no sanctions imposed.
The incident took place in December 2012.
A spokesman for university refused to comment on the matter.
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