Rape charge doctor gave massages to naked women

But speaking under cross-examination at Leeds Crown Court, he denied ever being aroused or tempted to touch them intimately, saying: "I don't think I was that desperate."

He said he massaged most areas of the body, including their buttocks, but not their breasts, as this would be "inappropriate."

Later, he told the court he kept sex aids such as vibrators in a drawer at his clinic at York District Hospital to show to patients to help them with certain sexual disorders.

Haslam, 69, of Crayke, near Easingwold, who is now retired, denies four charges of indecent assault and one of rape against a total of three former patients in the 1980s.

One of the women has claimed she was twice indecently assaulted during baby oil massages by Haslam.

Under cross-examination by Paul Worsley QC, prosecuting, Haslam said he gave massages about once a week in a room at the former Clifton Hospital, because he felt it was relaxing and beneficial to patients with anxiety and depression.

About half-a-dozen patients received such massages in 1981.

He said he would use baby oil or talc and the sessions would last about 30 minutes.

He could not recall ever giving such a massage to a male patient. "There was a bit of homosexual stigma about that," he said.

Asked how many women patients stripped completely naked and how many kept their bra and pants on, he said: "Probably 50/50". He said it was often impractical for the women to have chaperones, although this was offered.

He said the women patients would use a blanket to cover their modesty.

He said he could only vaguely recall the patient alleging two indecent assaults during massages.

He dismissed her claims that he helped her undress, saying his patients undressed behind a screen and did not need assistance.

Asked about her allegation that he touched her genital area, he said: "That's rubbish."

The trial continued today.

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, December 02, 2003