Retired Ottawa chiropractor was 'sexual predator', victim says

A retiredOttawa chiropractor who assaultedthree of his patients was described during his sentencing hearing Monday as a "sexual predator and pervert" who used his profession to exploit his clients' trust.

Michael Beaton, 77, was convicted in Juneof two cases of indecent assault and one case of sexual assault involving three male patients who had sought treatment from him for neck and back pain.

• Retired chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting 3 patients

Two of the incidents happened in 1979 atBeaton'soffice, according to court documents,while the third occurred in 2003 at his home clinic.

The patients had been lying on his treatment bed in various states of undress, court heard, when Beaton fondled them.

MichaelBeatonis a sexual predator and pervert who used his profession and friendships to abuse unsuspecting clients and friends.- Victim

In a victim's impact statement, one of the three victims who cannot be named said he still suffers from "severe panic attacks and anxiety"when dealing with doctors.

"Michael Beaton is a sexual predator and pervert who used his profession and friendships to abuse unsuspecting clients and friends," said crown attorney James Cavanagh, reading the statement on the man's behalf. "He used his predatory skills to take advantage of me and others."

Cavanagh asked Justice Douglas Rutherford to impose a jail sentence of 12 to 18 months.

Victim asked for money, defence alleges

However, Beaton's lawyer Richard Auger urged Rutherford to give "little to no weight" to the man's statement, alleging that the man had calledBeaton and his defence team directly, claiming he had information that would help Beaton's case andasking for money.

Auger said he did not return the man's call. He asked for Beaton to receive a conditional sentenceof nine to 18 months, with six to nine months spent under house arrest.

Rutherford said the alleged phone call showed "egregiously bad judgement" on the part ofthe victim, who has a physical and mental disability.

Earlier in the day, forensic psychiatrist John Paul Federoff testified that Beaton had an almost zero chance of reoffending, based on his age and the length of time since his most recent offence.

Beaton's defence team also urged that thesentence take into account the chiropractor's public shame and embarrassment.

The sentencing hearing is expected to continue Tuesday.