A FAMILY doctor has been charged with possessing and making child pornography in York.
He is also accused of possessing indecent pictures in East Yorkshire.
A solicitor for general practitioner Dr Paul Anthony Fernando Hewish, 52, made his first appearance before Hull Magistrates' Court yesterday to answer two separate charges on the doctor's behalf.
Dr Hewish, who used to live near York, and work in general practice at Goole, is charged with possession of indecent pseudo-photographs of children contrary to sections 11 and three of the Criminal Justice Act.
He is also charged with the making of indecent pseudo-images of a child contrary to sections one and six of the Children and Young Persons Act 1978.
Humberside Police began a criminal investigation of the GP, who works for the East Riding and Hull Health Authority Trust, in March this year.
The Crown Prosecution Service has now decided to proceed with charges against Dr Hewish.
The first of the charges relates to Dr Hewish's alleged possession of indecent pictures of children between January 1 and February 28 this year at Goole.
The second charge relates to the alleged making of indecent images of a child in York between October 13, 1999, and November 10, 2000.
Dr Hewish has given his address to police and court staff as Groms, Hopton, Great Yarmouth, and was excused attendance for what would have been his first hearing before a court. His solicitor, Craig Sutcliffe, spoke at the early admission hearing before a court clerk only to confirm that he had submitted a letter to the court and was seeking a four-week adjournment of the hearing.
Miss Julie Laverack-Glanville, for the Crown, said she had no objection to the adjournment.
Dr Hewitt's unconditional bail was extended and reporting restrictions were not lifted.
The case was adjourned to Hull Magistrates Court for a hearing on July 15.
Dr Hewish was suspended from The Health Centre, Goole, after Humberside Police began its investigation.
The East Riding and Hull Health Authority Trust and the General Medical Council confirmed in March they were carrying out their own inquiries.
Updated: 11:19 Tuesday, June 18, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article