Court hears closing arguments at sexual assault trial of former Regina doctor
CBC
WARNING: This story contains disturbing details.
After nearly four weeks, the sexual assault trial of a former Regina doctor heard closing arguments at Queen's Bench on Thursday.
The Crown alleges 76-year-old Sylvester Ukabam sexually assaulted five women during medical exams he did as a gastroenterologist — a doctor who deals with disorders of the stomach and intestines.
A publication ban prohibits any of the complainants from being named.
Ukabam has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of sexual assault. He is being tried by judge alone.
On Thursday the defence questioned the reliability of all five complainants. Meanwhile, as part of its arguments, the Crown gave a rundown on some of the history of gender discrimination in sexual assault court cases.
Ukabam's trial began on Jan. 10 with a witness who said the former doctor vaginally penetrated her under the pretence of conducting a physical examination in 2013.
On Jan. 11, the second complainant testified that Ukabam sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions from 2012 to 2014. She said two of the occasions included vaginal penetration.
On Jan. 12, the third complainant said Ukabam sexually assaulted her with vaginal penetration in 2017.
On Jan. 13, court heard testimony from a friend of Jan. 12's witness about how the witness acted on the day of her alleged assault.
Later on Jan. 13, court heard from a fourth complainant who alleged that Ukabam performed an unusual and unnecessary breast exam on her at his downtown clinic without explaining why.
On Jan. 14, court heard from a fifth complainant — a 66-year-old woman from Regina with Crohn's disease— who alleges that Ukabam sexually assaulted her on June 23, 2014, during a routine appointment.
On Jan. 25, Ukabam took the stand in his own defence. He testified that he was surprised and shocked by the complaints against him.
The defence's argument centred on the reliability of the five complainants.
This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.
Some Canadian seniors say they're feeling abandoned by the Liberal government's latest inflation relief measure after learning they don't qualify for it.
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
The weather has certainly been gloomy, damp and windy over the past 10 days in Nova Scotia and it's going to continue this weekend.
Premier Susan Holt says the federal tax holiday on some goods announced Thursday could cost New Brunswick $62 million in revenue.
Thousands in Quebec's Montérégie region will not get their flu and COVID-19 vaccine directly at their seniors' residence anymore.
A 17-year-old boy is dead after he was shot by an RCMP officer in Norway House Cree Nation on Friday.
Saskatchewan road crews and residents alike are getting ready for another icy blast of winter this weekend.
Student leaders at the University of Alberta are criticizing the school's plan to hike tuition — particularly for international students.
Environment Canada says a new fall storm will bring winds gusting up to 110 km/h to southwestern British Columbia on Friday, potentially causing more outages and travel disruption.
Environment Canada says strong winds could cause damage to roofs and windows in P.E.I.'s Kings County and Prince County this weekend, with power outages possible from fallen tree branches.