A former Regina doctor who was acquitted in cases of sexually assaulting patients could return to court after the Crown appealed his acquittal.
Sylvester Ukabam, 76, was accused of sexually assaulting five patients during a medical examination between 2010 and 2017.
The alleged victims testified during the trial that the defendant caressed their genitals and breasts. The defense questioned the reliability of their testimony.
On May 18, Court of Queen’s Bench Judge Brian Scherman found the former gastroenterologist not guilty in all the cases against him.
The Crown believes the judge erred in finding Mr. Ukabam who is not guilty. He then filed a notice of appeal this week, saying he intended to challenge the verdict.
In documents filed with the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, the Crown explained the grounds for its appeal, including the judge’s failure to consider all the evidence.
Furthermore, the Crown asserted that the judge was mistaken by predicting elements that are not in the evidence.
It is not yet known when the appellate court will hear the case.
The CBC advised that it contacted Sylvester Ukabam’s lawyer for comment.
In October 2018, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan said it had reached an agreement with Sylvester Ukabam. By agreement, the doctor agreed to resign and signed a pledge of allegiance never practice medicine anywhere in the world in the future .
In return, the organization agreed not to pursue its investigation into the allegations.
With information from Fiona Odlum
Radio CanadaMartine Biron
Source: Radio-Canada
