CARLOS CORTES FROM GLAMORGAN STRIPPED OF VETERINARY LICENCE OVER CHILD AND ANIMAL PORNOGRAPHY

In August 2017, a serious disciplinary action was taken against Carlos Cortes, a veterinarian based in Glamorgan, following his criminal conviction related to the possession of highly disturbing and illegal material. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) disciplinary committee (DC) made the decision to strike him off the veterinary register after it was established that his criminal conduct rendered him unfit to continue practicing veterinary medicine.

Mr. Cortes had pleaded guilty in January 2017 at Cardiff Crown Court to possessing four indecent images of children, along with an extreme pornographic image involving an animal and a female. These images included material that was not only illegal but also morally reprehensible, leading to significant professional and public concern.

Following his guilty plea, the court sentenced Mr. Cortes to six months in prison, which was suspended for two years. As part of his sentence, he was required to undertake unpaid work and participate in rehabilitation activities, along with paying a victim surcharge. The conviction and sentencing prompted the matter to be referred to the RCVS, which initiated disciplinary proceedings against him.

In February 2017, the disciplinary process moved forward when Mr. Cortes was formally referred to the DC. Notably, Mr. Cortes did not attend the disciplinary hearing, nor was he represented by legal counsel. The committee was satisfied that he had been properly served with the Notice of Inquiry and decided to proceed with the hearing in his absence, considering the gravity of the allegations and the public interest involved.

During the hearing, the committee examined whether Mr. Cortes’ convictions and the nature of his conduct rendered him unfit to continue practicing as a veterinary surgeon. The chair of the committee, Chitra Karve, emphasized the severity of the misconduct, describing the possession of such material as “disgraceful.” She stated, “The committee has reached the conclusion the respondent’s possession of this material, which has led to his convictions, was so reprehensible as to merit the description disgraceful.”

Ms. Karve further explained that such behavior not only tarnished Mr. Cortes’ reputation but also brought disgrace upon the veterinary profession as a whole. The committee was clear that this conduct undermined public confidence in veterinary practitioners and, as a result, decided that Mr. Cortes was unfit to continue practicing.

After careful consideration, the committee concluded that the only appropriate disciplinary measure was to remove Mr. Cortes from the veterinary register permanently. Ms. Karve stated, “The committee has determined the respondent’s behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with being a member of the veterinary profession. It therefore directs the registrar to remove the respondent’s name from the register of veterinary surgeons.”

Mr. Cortes has the right to challenge this decision within 28 days of the ruling. The full details of the disciplinary committee’s findings and decision are publicly available on the RCVS website, serving as a stark reminder of the standards expected of veterinary professionals and the consequences of criminal conduct involving exploitation and abuse.