A Bermagui doctor who gave a female patient money and asked her to wear high heels to their appointments has confessed to indecently assaulting the woman at his surgery in January last year.
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Cedric Schmaman, 61, of Sunset Boulevard in Kianga, is facing up to seven years in prison after pleading guilty in May to the aggravated indecent assault of a victim under his authority at the Bermagui Medical Centre.
Court documents reveal Schmaman requested, verbally and via text message, that his victim wear high heels or boots to her regular appointments, threatening to reduce her medication if she did not.
The victim, who was suffering from addiction, had had difficulty finding a doctor who would prescribe the medication she needed, and in Schmaman she had found someone who would offer her prescriptions as well as money.
Schmaman, who also practiced in Narooma, told the victim he loved her, gave her his personal mobile number and deposited up to $1500 in her personal bank account between September 2015 and January 2016. He also gave her $500 in an envelope and placed a $50 note down her top into her bra.
Leading up to the aggravated assault he would regularly type with one hand while the other was placed on the victim’s leg, before hugging her and attempting to kiss her after consultations.
The January assault occurred during an injection to treat nausea. “Is this okay, does this feel nice, is this okay?” Shmaman asked his victim.
In March 2016 NSW Police lawfully recorded a conversation between Schmaman and his victim, where he is heard apologising for his “inappropriate” behaviour.
Schmaman was arrested seven days later at the medical centre and taken to Narooma Police Station where he denied the assault.
The woman cried as she read her victim impact statement in Bega District Court on Thursday, saying the assault had left her with a fear of doctors, and led to an attempt on her own life.
“I just wish I could have a normal life,” she said.
“I feel the offender has broken me. My son is the only reason I keep going.”
Through tears, the victim spoke of wanting to move on from an assault that has left her unable to work or leave the house alone.
Schmaman will be sentenced in the Wollongong District Court on June 13.