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Disgraced Calgary neurologist Keith Hoyte has admitted to sexually assaulting another large group of female patients.
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Hoyte (74) pleaded guilty on Thursday to 27 counts of sexual assault for abusing his victims over a period of almost three decades.
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Defense lawyer Alain Hepner told provincial court Judge Allan Fradsham that he and the prosecution had “worked hard to resolve (the case)” ahead of a scheduled six-week trial that was set to begin next month.
In a lengthy 30-page statement of agreed facts, Crown prosecutor Rose Greenwood detailed the sexual abuse of each of the victims, including one who was fondled by him aged 16 and another who was 17.
In each case, Hoyte touched the victims inappropriately during investigations. The incidents happened between 1986 and Hoyte’s retirement in 2013.
The assaults mostly involved Hoyte caressing the victims’ breasts while he occasionally told them it was part of the investigation process, but in most cases did not explain his behavior at all.
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Many described the horror of being referred to a specialist in the hope of finally having their medical conditions diagnosed, only to be sexually abused.
“I cried until there were no tears left,” one woman said of her reaction after leaving Hoyte’s office at the Peter Lougheed Center.
“I convinced myself it wasn’t that bad, it was my fault… I now know that’s not true.”
Another victim described being referred to Hoyte for a “mystery illness,” the diagnosis of which was rejected by other doctors.
“I went into the hospital full of hope,” she said as she read her own statement.
“He would be the one to solve the mystery.”
But Hoyte had other ideas, the woman said.
“Instead of finding a hero, I learned the true meaning of a monster… they prey on your vulnerability,” she said.
“Monsters depend on your silence.”
Like many of the victims, she said having the ability to express her pain in court, something she said she was deprived of when he pleaded guilty, was cathartic.
“Today I will not be silenced,” she told Court of King’s Bench Judge Jim Eamon.
“I use (my voice) to defeat a monster.”
Before Eamon sentenced him, Hoyte addressed the gallery, where 18 of his victims sat.
“I am deeply ashamed and I wish I had a magical power to help heal you,” he said.
“I don’t expect forgiveness, but I am truly sorry.”
KMartin@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @KMartinCourts
