Sask. judge under review after sexual assault trial of former Regina doctor

One of the five women who accused a former Regina doctor of sexual assault has filed a complaint against the judge who acquitted the doctor of all charges.

Sylvester Ukabam was acquitted in Regina Court of Queen’s Bench on May 18. He had been charged with seven counts of sexual assault after five women said they had been assaulted by Ukabam during medical exams he did as a gastroenterologist.

In his written decision, Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Brian Scherman said it’s possible four of the women were mistaken about what the doctor did during their exams.

Scherman determined the fifth woman received a chest exam, not a breast exam as she alleged.

The Crown has appealed Scherman’s decision, saying he erred at law:

• In his dismissal of the Crown’s application to admit similar fact evidence;
• By failing to consider the totality of the evidence; and
• By speculating about matters not in evidence.

The Crown also said it was basing its appeal on “such further and other grounds as counsel for the Crown may request and this Honourable Court may allow.”

The woman who filed the complaint against Scherman said his decision reflects an underlying attitude of ignorance, misogyny and gender bias.

The Canadian Judicial Council says it is reviewing her complaint, which was filed before the Crown appealed the verdict.

The woman’s name is protected by a publication ban.

— With files from The Canadian Press