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Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
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NZPA The doctor on trial for sex
offending against his patients told the High Court at New Plymouth yesterday
the allegations were entirely untrue. The doctor faces 37 charges of
sexual assault against 12 women. He has denied the offending which is alleged
to have happened between 1981 and 2002. Earlier three of the complainants
told the court they felt the doctor push groin area against their body,
including times when they lay on his examination table. The doctor, who denies the
incidents occurred, provided evidence that the height of his table was 81cm
and the measurement from the floor to his groin was 75cm. "That would be pretty difficult
against the height of the table," the doctor said. The doctor also said he had small
hands and short fingers. On Tuesday the jury heard evidence
that doctors with short fingers would have more difficulty carrying out an
internal examination, than a doctor with longer fingers. "We have 12 patients who have
alleged that you have sexually assaulted or sexually violated them what do
you say about that?" defence counsel Harry Waalkens QC asked. "Entirely untrue," the
doctor replied. A number of the complainants had
said the doctor watched them undress. "Do you watch patients doing
this," Mr Waalkens asked. "No," replied the
doctor. Mr Waalkens asked if the doctor
had ever deliberately stimulated patients. "Never." The doctor will continue to give
evidence when the trial continues today. |
