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Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
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New Plymouth doctor Hiran Fernando
has been found guilty of 26 charges involving sexual abuse of his patients. The jury returned with its
verdicts at 3pm after deliberating since midday Tuesday. Judge John Priestley lifted the
suppression order on Fernando's name, which had been imposed when he was
charged early last year. Fernando has been released on bail until his
sentencing. The doctor faced 34 charges of
indecent assault and three of sexual violation against 12 female patients.
The charges span a 21-year period from 1981. Fernando's trial, in the High
Court at New Plymouth, lasted one day short of five weeks. During the trial, complainants
told of the doctor playing with their nipples, giving unnecessary vaginal
examinations and asking questions about their sex lives. In his own evidence, the doctor
told the court he had legitimate reasons for the examinations and his actions
must have been misunderstood. |
