Doc took naked pics of patients

2005-09-13 09:47

Tokyo - A Japanese physician was sentenced to nearly four years in prison on Tuesday for photographing naked female patients after telling them the pictures were for medical records.

Sadao Tanabe, 52, who was the head of chest and cardiac surgery at a public hospital in Tokyo, was given a 46-month term for telling five female patients to undress for ultrasound checkups and then taking photos.

He told them the pictures were needed "for the record" and stored them on his computer, according to court documents.

"The crime was vicious and mean as he used his position as a physician to take advantage of his patients and their trust," said presiding judge Yasushi Watanabe.

Tanabe, who was dismissed from his job over the incidents which took place from 2000 to 2004, immediately appealed.

- AFP