A Sydney dentist molested schoolgirl patients under the effects of gas, staring into the eyes of one alleged victim while pressing on her genitals, his trial has heard.
Rodger Garry Leighton has pleaded not guilty to six charges of indecent assault relating to four female victims aged between seven and 13, over abuse which is alleged to have occurred between 1973 and 1984.
Two witnesses gave evidence at his Sydney District Court trial on Wednesday, telling the jury the 79-year-old had inappropriately touched them after giving them nitrous oxide gas.
One of the victims was allegedly assaulted during a visit to have some baby teeth removed.
"One hand was holding my hand and one hand was pressing down on the vulva area," she said.
"I remember him staring into my eyes."
During the 10 to 20 seconds of the alleged assault she was thinking "What is he doing?" the court heard.
"I felt really confused, I felt really uncomfortable," she said.
Similar evidence was given by another of the alleged victims, who was between 11 and 13 when allegedly indecently assaulted.
"It was about the time I was hitting puberty," she said.
"Dr Leighton gave me a mask for some gas as an anaesthetic for a procedure."
She, like the first witness, told the court she was reclined in a dental chair when Leighton indecently assaulted her.
"He put one of his hands on my right breast and let it sit there," she said.
"I didn't say anything because I was frightened and I had the mask on so I couldn't talk."
That witness said she didn't tell her mother about the abuse as she didn't have the vocabulary to talk about it.
Leighton's defence barrister Andrew Miller, however, questioned her about whether the effects of the gas had left her unsure about the incident.
"Was it the case that after you experienced this event you were unsure as to whether it had really happened," he asked.
"No. That's not correct," she shot back.
Earlier on Wednesday Mr Miller asked the first witness if she might have blacked out after being given the gas.
"I really don't think I did," she said.
"I remember being conscious the whole time."
An expert witness would be giving evidence about the difference in the use and effects of nitrous oxide gas between the period when the girls were allegedly assaulted and now, Mr Miller said.
The trial is expected to last about 20 days and continues before Judge Chris Craigie.
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