TWO medical experts have disagreed over whether a child who was allegedly sexually assaulted over a ten-year-period had any physical signs of abuse.
The experts were giving evidence on the fourth day of the Assize jury trial in the Royal Court of 49-year-old Richard Louis Romeril.
Mr Romeril is accused of 16 offences against the girl, including attempted rape, sexual touching without consent, indecent assault and forcing someone to engage in a sex act, all of which he denies.
Yesterday Dr Louise Newbury, a consultant paediatrician and child abuse specialist, told the court that most children who are victims of sexual abuse do not exhibit any physical signs.
But she added that the alleged victim had had numerous urinary tract infections, back and abdominal pain and lesions to her genital area, and would sometimes wet herself during the day, the combination of which might support her claim that she had been abused.
Dr Newbury, who was giving evidence for the prosecution, said: “The symptoms on their own are common. But they do occur among some children who have suffered sexual abuse.”
The alleged victim was said to be much shorter than the average height for children of her age, and Dr Newbury added: “It could be that her short stature may be linked to sexual abuse. This is by no mean diagnostic, but it may be supportive.”
However Dr Wendy Gray, a forensic medical clinician who specialises in sexual offences, disputed Dr Newbury’s conclusions.
Dr Gray, who was giving evidence for the defence, agreed that the alleged victim was shorter than average but pointed out: “There was no concern raised by paediatricians that sexual abuse was a possible cause of her failure to thrive. There are all sorts of possible causes.”
She added: “To suggest that the lesions were caused by abuse is purely speculative.
“If a child presented with urinary tract infections, would this raise concerns about child sexual abuse? The answer is no, because they are so common.”
The case is expected to last three more days. The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, is presiding.
