Disgraced Cambridge University academic wrote erotic literature about students

Cambridge University.
Cambridge University. Photo credit: Facebook.

A disgraced Cambridge University professor accused of sexual harassment published erotic literature about students the same year complaints surfaced about him.

In 2015, 10 female students alleged Dr Peter Hutchinson had asked them inappropriate questions about their sex lives on multiple occasions. 

They alleged the professor had asked about their experiences of how long sex lasted. He also reportedly said that women who have a lot of children were "sex-mad".

It's also alleged he asked a group of four students if they would "sleep their way to the top" during a film night he hosted at his house. 

An internal investigation in 2015 found he had acted inappropriately and he stopped teaching but it wasn't until 2017 that he officially resigned.  

It has now emerged he wrote and self-published a book titled First Time: Ooo-la-la! at the same time he was being investigated for sexual harassment.

The 74-year-old published the erotic fiction under the pseudonym 'Barry Able'. He told Tortoise Media he was the author on Monday. 

The book tells the story of a first-year student, also called Peter, who is found guilty of sexual harassment after a "series of erotic adventures".

Women in the book are mostly part of a sex club called The Virgins who must sleep with a man or professor each week to stay in the club.

Multiple women have said they recognise themselves in his female characters. 

In 2006 Hutchinson faced court for allegedly groping a 24-year-old student. She claims he assaulted her while making a "pervy Benny Hill" moaning noise. He was acquitted and said he couldn't understand what the big deal was.

"I just cannot understand how something which seemed so trivial was so important to her, and I cannot really see it as a sexual assault."

Now 38, Ellie Pyemont says she recognises herself in the book.

"It is pathetic that he wrote and self-published this misogynistic, crass and deluded story," she told The BBC. 

Hutchinson told Tortoise his book was a "progressive" view of women where they are liberated and in control.