A RETIRED York psychiatrist has described an alleged rape victim as an "author for Mills & Boon".

Dr Michael Trevor Haslam, 69, also labelled the woman as "manipulative" shortly after the rape is alleged to have taken place, Leeds Crown Court heard.

She is one of three women who have given evidence against Haslam that he raped or indecently assaulted them while they were his patients in the 1980s.

Retired consultant Haslam, of Crayke, near Easingwold, denies four indecent assaults and one rape.

On his fourth day in the witness box, he was questioned about the woman's account that he raped her. "I think she must have been an author for Mills & Boon," he said.

"Do they have rape scenes?" asked Paul Worsley QC, prosecuting.

"I think they do. They certainly have that sort of language," the doctor replied.

When asked how she knew he had a wig, the doctor said it was well-known at the time that he had an artificial hair piece and that he wore it because he was going bald. It could only be removed by his hairdresser, he said, disputing the woman's claim that it had moved during the alleged rape.

He said his use of the word "manipulative" about her was "nothing sinister" and another doctor had shared his opinion.

He denied that he was "turned on" by his younger women patients though he had "seen an extraordinary number of breasts".

Doctors had training in how to repel advances from patients, he said.

But he agreed that he had been "over-familiar" and "stupid" in kissing and caressing a second of the alleged victims in a heavy petting session at The Retreat Hospital. He claimed she started the incident.

He denied taking advantage of her "vulnerability" through her mental condition and her account of both of them lying naked together on a couch.

The jury heard that Haslam had a qualification in hypnotism.

The case continues.

Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, December 03, 2003