THE barrister defending Michael Haslam over a series of sex allega-tions has indicated that the retired York psychiatrist did kiss and cuddle a patient on one occasion.

But Tom Bayliss QC said during cross-examination of the woman at Leeds Crown Court that the doctor ended the "brief flirtation," leaving her feeling rejected, and suggested that her claims that Haslam inde-cently assaulted her were untrue.

"I suggest there was one occasion only when you and him became familiar," he said to her. "Dr Haslam said it wasn't right and it stopped. You are not telling the truth."

The woman replied: "I can assure you I am telling you the truth about this."

Mr Bayliss said she had misinter-preted what had happened during a perfectly proper sexual examination and exaggerated what happened be-tween them later on, but this was denied by her as well.

Earlier, the woman, now in her 50s, had claimed that the indecent assault happened when she went to Haslam's clinic at York District Hospital in 1981 to be treated for sexual difficulties.

She told a jury she was "absolutely horrified and shocked" after the inci-dent.

She said Haslam had seemed to be the only person able to help her and make her become happy again fol-lowing severe marital difficulties.

She alleged that Haslam had exam-ined her on his consulting couch for a condition which would make sex difficult, but after doing this he began fondling and caressing her genital area. She claimed he smiled and said: "Isn't this nice? I could do with a cup of coffee."

The woman told the court: "I was so shocked, I just froze," she said.

When she returned for her next ap-pointment, she told him he had been a fool and she could have reported him and got him into trouble. She claimed he replied: "Who will believe you? I could ruin your reputation."

She said her appointments continued with Dr Haslam. "I think I was infatuated with him. The thought of not seeing him again was just awful," she said.

On one occasion he unsuccessfully attempted to cuddle her, but on a later occasion she hugged him back. She said she was very vulnerable and depressed.

On a later occasion they both completely undressed and lay on a couch, kissing and petting each other, she alleged.

Later, she had talked to other medical staff and made a statement outlining what had happened, after which she was transferred out of the care of Dr Haslam.

Haslam, 69, of Crayke, near Easingwold, now retired, denies the assault, and has also pleaded not guilty to two indecent assaults on another woman and indecently assaulting and raping a third woman.

All the offences are alleged to have happened in York in the 1980s.

The trial continues tomorrow.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, November 18, 2003