Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Doctor suspended for nine months over sex-abuse images

Updated at 2:49 pm on 3 September 2010

A doctor found guilty of possessing nearly 300,000 images of sex abuse against young girls has been suspended for nine months.

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has heard that the GP, referred to as Doctor Y, was sentenced to four months' periodic detention by a district court judge.

The tribunal says similar cases have resulted in cancellation of registration, but there seems no doubt that Dr Y's offending did not take place at work, nor affect his patients.

It says taking into account that Dr Y has already not worked for nine and a half months, a further suspension of nine months is appropriate.

He will have to undergo a psychiatric assessment before resuming practice.

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