ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A doctor was convicted Monday of sexually assaulting and peddling highly addictive prescription medication to several of his patients in a trial that heard graphic testimony and shocked members of the local medical community.

After five days of deliberation, a jury found Dr. Sean Buckingham guilty on five counts of sexual assault, six counts of trafficking painkillers such as OxyContin and Lorazepam, and one count of assault.

During the two-month trial on 18 charges at the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court in St. John's, patients described in explicit detail how Buckingham provided them drugs in exchange for money and sexual favours over a two-year span.

One of the patients broke down in tears when she testified that the 47-year-old doctor sodomized her and whipped her with a twig while she was naked and tied to a tree at a local park.

"It was a game to him,'' the 24-year-old woman testified in October.

Buckingham was convicted in that case of sexual assault, but found not guilty of sexual assault causing bodily harm and sexual assault with a weapon.

He was also acquitted of two counts of trafficking OxyContin and two other counts of sexual assault.

The woman testified she had a serious addiction to OxyContin and cocaine, and had several sexual encounters with Buckingham in order to get prescriptions for the drug.

Crown lawyers and Buckingham's lawyer, Randy Piercey, declined comment after the verdict.

Buckingham, who was free on bail during the trial, was placed in custody. He will return to court for sentencing Dec. 20.

When he testified, Buckingham vigorously denied the allegations from his patients, saying he wouldn't jeopardize his career by dealing narcotics.

"Why would I risk my life, my nice lifestyle, for $300 or $400?'' Buckingham said.

"I made $400,000 at that time. Think I'm worried about a few hundred dollars?''

He repeatedly said he tried to wean his patients off OxyContin and referred them to treatment centres, and maintained he never dealt drugs in exchange for cash or sex.

Buckingham initially faced 23 charges, but during the trial Justice James Adams directed the jury to acquit Buckingham on five of them. The order came after the Crown agreed that evidence before the court didn't support those charges.

Buckingham was arrested at his home on May 26, 2005, after an extensive two-year police probe.

Dubbed Operation Remedy, the investigation was aimed at probing the misuse and trafficking of prescription medications in the St. John's area.

As part of the investigation, Buckingham's activities were closely monitored. He was under almost 24-hour surveillance, with wiretaps placed on his home phone and two cellular phones for a two-month period.