More jail possible for indecent doctor

2 Nov 2012, 4:49 pm   -   Source: AAP

A doctor jailed for indecently assaulting young boys should be released in time for Christmas despite pleading guilty to more charges, a judge has heard.

A Sydney doctor jailed for indecently assaulting boys on the pretext of needing semen samples should be released before Christmas as planned, despite pleading guilty to more charges, a court has heard.

John Phillip Rolleston, 74, is due to be released from prison on December 23 after serving a minimum 18-month sentence for 17 counts of indecently assaulting 12 young boys between 1975 and 1981.

However, the former doctor pleaded guilty earlier this year to four more charges of indecent assault after more victims came forward due to the publicity of his trial in March 2011.

The trial heard the boys, aged 14 and 15, were seeking treatment for conditions such as a sore throat, an ankle injury or the flu.

But the doctor either masturbated them or ordered them to do it, claiming he needed a semen sample from them.

In a sentence hearing in the District Court in Sydney on Friday, Rolleston's defence barrister, Michael Ainsworth, argued Rolleston's prison sentence should not be extended because of the prosecution's delay in bringing the additional charges.

The court heard the new victims came forward during the trial, but Rolleston was not charged until a year later, in March this year.

"Mr Rolleston should have been charged with these offences at an earlier time," Mr Ainsworth told Judge Leonie Flannery, who originally sentenced Rolleston.

Judge Flannery could have taken the additional charges into account then, rather than just before his release, Mr Ainsworth said.

"Arrangements are in place for his release and now the crown is suggesting the only other course is additional time in custody."

Mr Ainsworth said Rolleston had been a model prisoner and was hoping to reconnect with his family on his release.

Crown prosecutor Mariella Schattiger said the judge should take into account the additional criminality of Rolleston's offending.

Judge Flannery said she needed to consider the issues and adjourned the matter for sentence on Friday, November 9.

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