A girl just under 17 years old went to her dentist for a routine check-up in Gits, a sub-municipality of Hooglede, on Wednesday, November 6. Despite his retirement age, the man still works four days a week in his practice. During the examination he allegedly touched his patient inappropriately.
The man admits that he felt the girl on her stomach and that he gave her a kiss, but insists that this was done with consent. The dentist says he realizes that he did not act completely correctly, but denies that he committed criminal offenses. According to him, the touches did not go further than her stomach.
Panties groped
However, the girl came home after the consultation very upset and said that the dentist also touched her underwear and bra. Together with her mother, she immediately went to the police to file a complaint. This was also followed by an investigation at a care center after sexual violence. DNA was taken from the places where the girl was allegedly touched.
The 70-year-old dentist was arrested for questioning and brought before the investigating judge. The man maintains his position that he did not commit any criminal offenses. The investigating judge decided not to send the man to prison but to release him on conditions. He must cooperate further with the investigation, may not have contact with the victim or her family and is banned from working. He must therefore immediately stop his dental practice.
Aggravating circumstances
Officially, the man, who has a wife and children, is being prosecuted for violating the sexual integrity of a minor, with the additional aggravating circumstance that as a dentist he had a relationship of trust with the victim. It is remarkable that the man was convicted 25 years ago for similar facts, then still under the legal term of sexual assault, which he also committed in his capacity as a doctor.
The West Flanders public prosecutor’s office, Kortrijk department, is now investigating the case further and will, among other things, read the dentist’s mobile phone to check whether he has any sexual problems. His lawyer Bram Elyn is sparing with comments for the time being. “We are mainly waiting for the results of DNA research,” says Master Elyn. “Given that this investigation is still ongoing, I will make no further comment.”
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