A Halifax decide is anticipated to rule Nov. 20 on whether or not retired pediatric dentist Dr. Errol Gaum, 82, is responsible of assaulting 4 former sufferers once they had been youngsters. The earliest allegation dates again to 1970.
Gaum appeared in Halifax provincial court docket Monday for closing arguments in a trial that started in Could. He initially confronted 5 counts of assault, however one cost was dropped as a result of technicalities.
Defence vs prosecutor
Defence lawyer Nick Fitch argued the costs must be dismissed, questioning whether or not the alleged incidents occurred, whether or not Gaum was accountable, and in that case, whether or not his actions had been supposed to guard the kid from hurt, the CBC reported. Fitch stated pediatric dentists typically deal with combative youngsters and the procedures had been “not fairly.”
Crown prosecutor Stephen Anstey countered that the testimony of the six witnesses—4 complainants and two offering comparable reality proof—was constant and mutually corroborative. 5 of the six stated Gaum slapped them throughout the face and informed them to “shut up” throughout remedy.
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‘Hanging similarities’
Anstey urged the court docket to think about the proof collectively reasonably than on a count-by-count foundation, citing the “hanging similarities” within the witnesses’ accounts, which span the Seventies and Eighties, the Chronicle Herald reported.
The case started after Gaum’s dentistry licence was suspended in November 2020, following greater than 100 complaints to Halifax Regional Police alleging misconduct over practically 5 a long time. In March 2022, police laid 10 fees involving seven complainants.
The allegations gained public consideration after former sufferers created a Fb group titled The victims of Dr. ERROL GAUM (public), which had 2,800 members as of July 23.
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