Fury as ‘butcher’ charges dropped

A VICTIM of the man dubbed ‘‘The Butcher of Bega’’, Graeme Reeves, said she is ‘‘flabbergasted’’ that prosecutors have dropped dozens of charges against the former gynaecologist.

Reeves, who was found guilty of removing Carolyn DeWaegeneire’s clitoris and genitals in 2002, walked free from Long Bay Jail on December 20 after a decision by the High Court of Australia two days earlier.

In mid-November, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions elected not to pursue dozens of charges against the former gynaecologist relating to other alleged victims.

Mrs DeWaegeneire said the decision left her feeling like ‘‘women are of no importance in this world’’.

Reeves was facing dozens of charges relating to the mutilation of women following an investigation by police operating under Strike Force Tarella.

‘‘I’m flabbergasted that all the work of the task force over thousands of hours has come to nothing,’’ Ms DeWaegeneire said.

‘‘The powers-that-be have underestimated women,’’ she said. ‘‘ They always say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’’

She also said she only found out the charges would not be pursued when contacted by the media.

In 2011, Reeves, 63, was found guilty of mutilating and indecently assaulting female patients between 2001 and 2003.

He was sentenced to two years and six months jail with a one-year, non-parole period that expired on May 31, 2013.

The DPP appealed and the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal upped the sentence by 18 months. Reeves appealed to the High Court which quashed the sentence and ordered the CCA to hear the appeal again next year.