KEY POINTS:
New Plymouth doctor Hiran Fernando was today jailed for three years and two months for sexually assaulting female patients.
Fernando, 58, was found guilty last month in the High Court at New Plymouth of 26 indecent assault charges.
After a five-week trial, the jury deliberated for nearly three days before reaching their verdicts on the charges, which spanned from 1981 to 2002 and involved 12 women.
He was acquitted of eight indecent assault charges and three sexual violation charges.
Complainants gave evidence of the doctor playing with their nipples, giving unnecessary vaginal examinations and asking questions about their sex lives.
They were awarded total reparation of $29,000 at today's sentencing.
Fernando offered reparations for emotional damage to his victims, but said it was not an admission of guilt.
Four of Dr Fernando's victims read their impact statements today. One victim said the doctor took advantage of a shy vulnerable teenager. She said for years she felt guilty and as a result had attempted suicide.
The Crown had argued for at least six years imprisonment. The lawyers for Dr Fernando were seeking home detention and a sentence of no more than two years' imprisonment.
Fernando had told the court he had legitimate reasons for the examinations and his actions must have been misunderstood.
The Medical Council has already suspended his licence to practise and he faces being struck off the medical register.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
