Neurologist sentenced for sexual assault

A Hamilton neurologist has been sentenced to 18 months in jail followed by three months of probation after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting female patients.

Dr. Pierre Picard, 50, from Dundas, was sentenced Friday.

He was facing 12 charges of sexual assault related to eight victims. But on Aug. 23, he pleaded guilty to two of them.

The charges were laid in stages in 2016 and 2017 as new victims came forward.

Although Picard pleaded guilty to just two counts in August, the facts related to all eight victims were read out in court.

When first arrested in December 2016, police said Picard operated primarily out of a private practice at 304 Victoria Ave. N., across from the Hamilton General Hospital. He was also listed then on the College of Physicians and Surgeons’ website as working in each of the city’s hospitals.

Police said a complaint was first made to the college, which then placed restrictions on his practice in September 2016.

Criminal charges followed, the latest in February 2017, as more victims came forward after news reports of his arrest.

The women reported being sexually assaulted between 2015 and 2016.

Picard’s name and practice are flagged as a concern on the College of Physicians and Surgeons’ website. His conviction for sexual assault is noted on the site when his name is searched. It also states his practice and status as a doctor is inactive as of November 2017.

Picard has a college disciplinary hearing Oct. 9, according to the website, but it is unclear if that will still proceed.