An osteopath facing more than 20 sex charges has told a jury he required all his female patients to be naked or wearing just underwear regardless of the treatment they were receiving - despite experts saying that was unnecessary.
Richard James Davis, 53, from Katikati told a jury at the High Court at Wellington today that he could treat his patients if they were clothed, but it was not as good as "skin on skin".
He has been charged with 11 counts of unlawful sexual connection and 13 counts of indecent assault in relation to the treatment of 10 women at his Gisborne practice.
Davis, who is giving evidence in his defence, told the jury of seven women and five men all treatment techniques he used were clinically necessary.
Under cross-examination by Crown lawyer Steve Manning said he asked his patients to disrobe "unless they were uncomfortable with that".