A Gold Coast paediatrician accused of “hog-tying” a seven-year-old patient has admitted in court his actions were inappropriate.
Dr Neville Davis was charged with common assault after the boy’s mother alleged he “hog-tied” the seven-year-old’s hands and ankles and sat on his back during a patient consultation in October 2012.
Dr Davis told a summary trial in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning that although he had tied the boy up, he had not sat on him.
He said he squatted over the child to demonstrate the technique that Dr Davis said would help control the boy’s “dangerous and disruptive” behaviour.
Dr Davis said the technique was intended to be a distraction but it had not worked, and in hindsight he could see it was not appropriate.
The court heard conditions set by the Australian Medical Board since the allegations required Dr Davis to have a chaperone present during consultations, as part of his medical registration conditions.
When the police prosecutor questioned Dr Davis in court today, he asked: “Have you ever used the technique before or since this consultation?”
Dr Davis replied: “No, because it hasn’t been necessary.”
The prosecutor asked: “Do you accept your actions were an abhorrent lack of judgment considering your exemplary history caring for children?”
Dr Davis replied: “Yes.”
Meanwhile, the lawyer acting for Dr Davis told the court the boy’s mother had changed her evidence to make her story fit and was not a trusted witness.
The defence lawyer said the mother’s claim the doctor tied a rope around the boy’s neck did not fit with other evidence.
The trial continues.