Two doctors give contradicting testimonies in El-Tatari sex assault trial

Dr. Bassam El-Tatari outside a Windsor court on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (Teresinha Medeiros / AM800)

The sexual assault trial of a Windsor doctor resumed Tuesday with two physicians taking the stand, both of whom disputed what the other said.

Warning: This story contains graphic details.

Bassam El-Tatari, 45, is charged with six counts of sexual assault.

The six alleged victims testified the doctor either made inappropriate comments, hugged them after each visit or touched them in a sexual manner during pelvic or breast exams.

On Tuesday, the Crown concluded its case by calling Dr. Irene Cohen, who testified El-Tatari crossed the "boundary" of a physician's practice when he did an internal exam and asked one alleged victim to squeeze his fingers, commonly known as a "keegle."

But when the defence started its case, Dr. Ann Kimber-Spence testified having a patient do a "keegle" exercise is a normal practice to ask of a woman to measure her overall pelvic health.

The trial continues on Wednesday.

El-Tatari is still a practicing physician. But the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons issued restrictions against him in June 2017. He can only see patients when another licensed health care professional is present.

El-Tatari also faces a disciplinary hearing, but no date has been set.