Promising “sexual therapy” he arrived at the woman’s home in Marylebone, Central London, for sex with a pornographic video.

Dr Lawrence, 44, of Dulwich, South London, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, denied attempting to pursue an improper, inappropriate and indecent relationship with the woman, known as Miss A, between December 1996 and July 1998.

He also denied having sex with her on the three occasions and prescribing a food supressant drug although he knew or should have known it was “cautioned” for hypertension, from which she suffered, and not keeping adequate records of his consultations with her.After a five-day hearing in January last year, Dr Lawrence was suspended for 12 months and yesterday the committee decided to add an identical term with Professor Peter Richards, the chairman, announcing: “Your actions in pursuing an emotional and sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient and having sexual intercourse with her were found to have been a gross abuse of the trust she had placed in you.”

Earlier, Lydia Barnfather, representing the council, said that Miss A, a student dentist, had struggled to overcome the death of her father in 1995. “In her grief she began to binge eat and this affected her confidence and her ability to work.”

She sought counselling and was recommended to Dr Lawrence and visited his surgery for the first time in December 1996. During later appointments, however, she became alarmed at his behaviour. “During one private session she revealed she had a new boyfriend but was nervous about penetrative sex. Dr Lawrence seemed amused and suggested that he should possibly have intercourse with her as a means to overcome her apprehension.”

Initially Miss A brushed off his advances but after a row with a second, older boyfriend, she agreed to have sex with the doctor. “She found him very caring in his attitude towards her during a time she felt she needed support.”

The first occasion, on July 1, 1998, was at her flat and they had sex twice again during that month. Dr Lawrence told the hearing: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the entire medical profession for the damage I have done to the medical profession and it is with great regret that I have brought the profession into disrepute.

“The 12-month suspension has given me time for deep personal reflection and the shame I carry will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have let down my family, friends and the profession.”