Torben Hersborg: East London Osteopath Banned for Voyeurism

Key Points

• Torben Stig Hersborg, a 64-year-old Danish national osteopath from Tower Hamlets, East London, has been permanently banned from practising by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
• Dubbed “one of London’s most prolific voyeurs”, Hersborg secretly filmed and photographed approximately 2,000 women across various locations.
• Targets included female patients in his Old Street clinic, women on beaches, footpaths, at bus stops, Tube stations, and even inside their private homes.
• In July 2025, he was sentenced to three years and five months in prison after pleading guilty to eight counts of voyeurism.
• On Friday, 30 January 2026, the GOsC Professional Conduct Committee struck him off the register, deeming his actions “grave” and “predatory”.
• A GOsC spokesperson described the misconduct as a “clear and persistent course of conduct that was sexualised and predatory towards female patients and targeted groups of the general public”, often exploiting a power imbalance during professional treatments.
• Hersborg treated high-profile celebrities, including tennis player Caroline Wozniacki and actress Anna Friel.
• His arrest stemmed from a December 2024 incident where a member of the public spotted him in his Lexus outside Islington university accommodation, wearing black gloves, sitting on black plastic bags, with a telescope and video camera in the vehicle.
• Police seized devices containing thousands of photos and videos, including women undressing and two instances of women having sex; victims remained unidentified per the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
• The GOsC suspended Hersborg from the register immediately in 2024 upon learning of the police investigation.

Tower Hamlets (East London Times) February 2, 2026 – Torben Stig Hersborg, the Tower Hamlets-based Danish osteopath once celebrated for his celebrity clientele, stands permanently barred from the profession following his conviction as one of London’s most notorious voyeurs. The 64-year-old, who operated a clinic in Old Street, admitted to eight voyeurism charges last year, earning a prison term of three years and five months. The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) formalised his removal from the register on 30 January 2026, underscoring the severity of his prolonged predatory behaviour.

What Triggered Torben Hersborg’s Arrest?

The chain of events unfolded publicly in December 2024. A concerned member of the public contacted police after observing Hersborg in the back seat of his Lexus, parked suspiciously outside university accommodation in Islington.

He wore black gloves and perched atop black plastic bags, while a telescope and video camera lay within the vehicle.

Following his arrest, officers uncovered thousands of incriminating photos and videos on his electronic devices. These depicted women undressing, alongside two recordings capturing women engaged in sexual activity. As noted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), none of the victims could be identified from the imagery.

As reported by journalists at News Shopper, Hersborg had systematically filmed around 2,000 women. This included sessions in his Old Street clinic—frequently during treatments—as well as opportunistic captures on beaches, footpaths, bus stops, Tube platforms, and within private residences.

Why Did Authorities Label Him as One of London’s Most Prolific Voyeurs?

The sheer volume and duration of Hersborg’s activities cemented his reputation. London Now coverage details a pattern of secret recordings spanning years, affecting both trusting patients and unsuspecting members of the public. The professional context of his clinic intensified the outrage, given the trust inherent in therapeutic relationships.

A GOsC spokesperson articulated the gravity:

“The GOsC Professional Conduct Committee determined that his conduct, in relation to eight offences involving the covert recording of women over a prolonged period, was grave. It reflected a clear and persistent course of conduct that was sexualised and predatory towards female patients and targeted groups of the general public, and in circumstances where often there was a power imbalance with many of the offences occurring during treatment and in a professional setting.”

News Shopper elaborated on the scope:

“filmed and photographed around 2,000 women in his clinic in Old Street as well as on beaches, on footpaths, waiting at bus stops or for the Tube and when they were in their own homes.”

When and How Did the GOsC Intervene?

Regulatory action commenced promptly. The GOsC suspended Hersborg from its register without delay in 2024, shortly after becoming aware of the allegations and police involvement. This precautionary step prevented any further practice during the legal process.

The permanent ban materialised on 30 January 2026. London Now confirmed:

“On Friday (January 30) the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) removed Torben Hersborg from its register of osteopaths, banning him from practice.”

How Did His Celebrity Clients Factor In?

Hersborg parlayed his skills into a glamorous roster of patients. Both News Shopper and London Now highlight Caroline Wozniacki, the Danish tennis star and former world number one, and Anna Friel, the British actress known for roles in television and film, as among his clientele.

“The osteopath boasted a celebrity client list including Caroline Wozniacki and Anna Friel,”

stated News Shopper.

This elite association burnished his public image, making the revelations all the more jarring. Yet, the GOsC ruling treated him without favour, prioritising ethical standards over fame.

What Precisely Comprised His Criminal Conviction?

Hersborg entered guilty pleas to eight voyeurism counts, culminating in his July 2025 sentencing. London Now reported:

“Last July, the 64-year-old was jailed for three years and five months after admitting eight counts of voyeurism.”

Seized materials revealed “thousands of photos and videos”, illustrating a methodical operation. University students featured prominently, as per the Islington sighting, with incursions into both public spaces and intimate settings.

The CPS emphasised victim anonymity:

“The victims who were spied on could not be identified from the images.”

This spared direct identification but did not diminish the ethical breach.

Which Incidents Exposed the Power Imbalance?

A significant portion of offences transpired within Hersborg’s clinic amid treatments. The GOsC spokesperson pinpointed this:

“many of the offences occurring during treatment and in a professional setting.”

Even public voyeurism—targeting women at bus stops or beaches—demonstrated persistence. News Shopper underscored the clinical emphasis: “in his clinic in Old Street.”

What Steps Did the Osteopathy Profession Take?

The GOsC prioritised patient safety throughout. Immediate 2024 suspension halted his work, paving the way for the full striking-off. Their verdict framed the ban as essential to counter “sexualised and predatory” patterns affecting patients and the public alike.

No statements from Hersborg or his legal team surface in reports, keeping the narrative centred on official responses.

What Are the Wider Ramifications for Osteopathy?

This scandal illuminates risks in hands-on healthcare. Power dynamics between practitioners and clients demand robust safeguards, fuelling debates on enhanced vetting and supervision. The GOsC’s firm stance establishes a benchmark for accountability.

Though victims evade naming, the estimated 2,000 underscore voyeurism’s pervasive harm. Hersborg’s status as a Danish national practising in the UK invites reflection on cross-border regulation.

London Now and News Shopper alike stress the “prolific” label, calling for heightened awareness. The ban safeguards the future, yet challenges linger in restoring confidence.

Background on Hersborg’s Operations

At 64, Hersborg ran his practice from Old Street in Tower Hamlets. News Shopper dubbed him the “celebrity osteopath” who “spied on London university students.” Post-ban, UK practice remains forbidden.

Legal and Ethical Aftermath

Premeditation shone through details like gloves and bags in his car. Prosecution confined itself to admitted voyeurism counts. Psychological impacts on unaware victims persist, despite image obscurity.