Exdoctor given home detention
THE victim of a former Oamaru doctor’s sexuallymotivated offending says his actions have had an ‘‘immense’’ impact on all aspects of her life.
Stephen James Dawson (60) appeared before Judge Joanna Maze at the Timaru District Court for sentencing yesterday, having earlier pleaded guilty to representative charges of indecent assault and doing an indecent act with a person with significant impairment.
He was sentenced to nine months’ home detention on both charges, with conditions.
For the duration of his offending between March 10, 2008 and September 1, 2016 Dawson was employed at Central Medical in Oamaru.
He stopped practising on March 27, 2017, and had his practising certificate suspended on June 30 of the same year after 33 years as a general practitioner.
The now 46yearold Oamaru victim — who has an intellectual disability that made it difficult for her to make her own decisions and who could be easily manipulated — had been Dawson’s patient since 1997.
Dawson, who has been diagnosed with highlyfunctioning autism, became close friends with the victim and her mother who lived together and both worked as cleaners at the Eden St practice.
A victim impact statement prepared by the victim’s mother was read in court by Detective Warren Duncan, of Oamaru.
It said her confidence had ‘‘gone back years’’ and she would ‘‘make up excuses’’ not to leave her home.
‘‘The effect this has had on us is immense.’’
The statement said the victim, who has a mental age of between 12 and 15, was ‘‘not the same person she was before’’, and the impact of Dawson’s offending had caused ‘‘stress and heartache’’.
In addition to touching her breasts on multiple occasions, Dawson also photographed and filmed the woman while she was topless or wearing a bra.
On one occasion the offending took place under the guise of a medical examination, during which time he told her she had ‘‘nice breasts’’.
Other offending happened at the victim’s home and Dawson’s Wanaka apartment. He also emailed the victim’s mother on three separate occasions seeking permission for sex with the victim.
He also bought her gifts, including clothing.
Crown prosecutor Helen Bennett pushed for a sentence of imprisonment to be imposed, given the nature of Dawson’s offending , but Dawson’s defence attorney, Harry Waalkens, argued home detention was more appropriate.
When sentencing Dawson, Judge Maze said he had become ‘‘infatuated’’ with the victim and had developed a friendship with her that was ‘‘skewed’’ in its judgement.
Mr Waalkens earlier said Dawson’s autism leaned ‘‘very much towards an explanation of how these unfortunate circumstances happened’’.
His sentence was reduced for previous good character, remorse, undergoing counselling and a perceived high risk of selfharm if a custodial sentence was applied.
The victim was not present in court for Dawson’s sentencing.