GP convicted of abusing young girls named

Ronald Vautier abused three girls at a commune when they were aged between 5 and 8 years-old. Photo / Doug Sherring

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

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

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 today 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 in the week.

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.

In court documents, the mother of one of his victims described the remote settlement as "idyllic". Children could come and go as they pleased, play in the trees and orchards and swim in rivers and the sea, often under the sole supervision of the doctor.

Police said the doctor entertained the youngsters with scientific experiments and games. "The kids would play at his place and it wasn't unusual for them to do this," said the mother in court documents. "It was a total trust environment."

The GP, who was 29 to 38 years old during the time of offending, was trusted by those living in the community. He lived in a three-tiered home, where he would take the children to his bedroom to "play games".

But more than 20 years later, three women said the doctor sexually assaulted them when they were as young as 5 years old.

Two of the three victims was in court for the hearing with their family.

The doctor voluntarily withdrew his practising certificate when charges were laid in February last year.

Medical Council spokesman George Symmes said the court is required to notify the council of any doctor convicted of an offence punishable by a term of imprisonment of three months or more.

Vautier's actions would be subject to a Professional Conduct Committee, said Mr Symmes, which in turn would decide if professional misconduct charges were laid. If he was ever allowed to practise again, Mr Symmes said conditions would apply.

"There can be no risk to public health and safety, which is paramount."