Belgian gynaecologist jailed for raping patient

A Belgian court Thursday on jailed a gynaecologist for four years for the 2016 rape of a patient during a medical examination.

A copy of the judgement, seen by AFP, said the defendant had committed “very serious” offences, meriting the toughest sanction available.

The court had heard that on 7 November 2016, a 30-year-old woman had visited the doctor for a consultation ahead of an operation on an ovarian cysts.

The doctor initially conducted a standard vaginal examination wearing a glove, then removed it and continued while stroking and licking her breast.

Initially in shock, the patient did not make a criminal complaint, but returned to the surgery a week later with witnesses to demand an explanation.

According to news agency Belga, the doctor begged forgiveness, in comments that were recorded.

When he became the subject of a criminal inquiry, however, he insisted upon his innocence and attempted to discredit the victim, branding her a drug addict.

He pleaded not guilty but his attitude counted against him at trial, and he was severely criticised in the judgement for his lack of empathy and remorse.