The defence for a doctor accused of stupefying and indecently assaulting his patients has opened its case by telling the jury they will hear from the doctor himself.
David Kang Huat Lim, 41, is standing trial in the Napier District Court after pleading not guilty to five charges of stupefying and eight of indecent assault.
This morning defence counsel Harry Waalkens, QC, told the jury Dr Lim didn't have to give evidence but he wanted to.
The court heard Lim was born in Malaysia and completed a medical degree in Scotland before practicing there for three to four years.
Mr Waalkens told the jury Lim moved to Hawke's Bay in 2006.
It was estimated he administered Midazolam between 100 and 150 times, although he never received any formal sedation training.
Mr Waalkens indicated the jury would hear that hallucinations, a side effect of Midazolam, could be "vivid" and and was a poorly researched topic.
He also raised issues of suggestibilty during police questioning of the complainants.
Earlier today, the Crown called its last witness, concluding it's case that alleges Lim administered the sedative drug Midazolam on four male patients, aged 18 to 30, before sexually assaulting them while he was working as a GP at The Doctors clinic in Hastings in 2014.
Mr Waalkens said the Crown couldn't possibly establish Dr Lim undertook sedation on the patients without lawful or reasonable excuse.
Lim has taken the stand.
For more articles from this region, go to Hawkes Bay Today
