Child sex abuse GP named

The identity of a doctor who sexually abused three young girls in a Coromandel commune can now be revealed.

Name suppression for Ronald Bruce Vautier, 59, was lifted in the High Court at Auckland where he was due to be sentenced by Justice Judith Potter yesterday.

The Auckland GP, who lives in Panmure, had earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault on girls under the age of 12.

He was supposed to be sentenced yesterday but his defence lawyer Peter Winter sought a last-minute adjournment. He asked Justice Potter for leave to seek an independent psychological report, in response to the Crown pre-sentencing report.

Mr Winter is seeking home detention for his client, the Crown is seeking a custodial sentence. Crown prosecutor

Peter Dean did not oppose the adjournment. However, he noted that two of Vautier's victims were present in court with family.

Justice Potter adjourned the sentencing until mid-June.

"I very much regret that we cannot proceed with the matter. But it would be irresponsible to do so."

Vautier would not answer Weekend Herald questions when called earlier.

The offending occurred between 1979 and 1988, when each of the three victims was aged between 5 and 8 years old.

The doctor was one of 50 shareholders of a small community in the Coromandel, the name of which is permanently suppressed. A search of Companies Office records reveal Vautier resigned as a director and shareholder last month.