A Halifax choose 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 have 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 resulting from technicalities.
Defence vs prosecutor
Defence lawyer Nick Fitch argued the costs ought to be dismissed, questioning whether or not the alleged incidents occurred, whether or not Gaum was accountable, and if that’s the case, whether or not his actions have been supposed to guard the kid from hurt, the CBC reported. Fitch mentioned pediatric dentists usually deal with combative youngsters and the procedures have 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 mentioned Gaum slapped them throughout the face and instructed them to “shut up” throughout remedy.
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‘Hanging similarities’
Anstey urged the court docket to contemplate the proof collectively moderately 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 almost 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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