A former Oamaru doctor who emailed a patient's mother inviting her daughter for a "gentle bonk" has admitted touching her inappropriately over several years

The now 46-year-old victim has an intellectual disability that makes it difficult for her to make her own decisions and means she could be easily manipulated.

The Otago Daily Times reports Stephen James Dawson has pleaded guilty to representative charges of indecent assault and doing an indecent act with a person with significant impairment.

Dawson took photos of the victim topless, and asked her mother if her daughter would come to his bed.

He'll be sentenced in August.