By ALISON HORWOOD
CHRISTCHURCH - A doctor and former Christchurch deputy mayor, Morgan Fahey, has admitted 13 sex charges against 11 women dating back more than 34 years.
Silver-haired Fahey, aged 68, stifled his sobs and was supported by a prison officer as he answered "guilty" in a hoarse whisper to each indictment read to him yesterday in the High Court at Christchurch.
The guilty pleas came on what was meant to be the first day of Fahey's trial on charges including rape, sexual violation and indecent assault.
Justice Hansen rejected an application for bail by defence counsel Chris McVeigh, QC, and Geoff Brody, saying imprisonment was "probably inevitable."
Fahey was remanded in custody for sentencing on June 1.
Justice Hansen said a full summary of facts relating to Fahey's offending since 1966 would be read to the court on sentencing.
All the offences were committed in Christchurch.
The rape occurred on or about April 30, 1970.
The sexual violation charge relates to the digital penetration of a woman on or about October 29, 1994.
Eleven counts of indecent assault dating from March 1966 involved using a vibrator on female genitalia, touching breasts and genitalia, holding and kissing women and forcing a woman to hold his penis while he ejaculated on her clothing.
These details were included when the charges were put to Fahey yesterday.
Fahey, who served on the Christchurch City Council for 20 years, including a period as deputy mayor, resigned from his civic duty before last Christmas. He said protesters at meetings following his arrest were presenting difficulties for the council.
Until his depositions hearing last November, Fahey had strongly denied the allegations and vowed to continue his medical practice.
His last known listing was at the Shirley Medical Centre in Christchurch.
The Medical Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal said yesterday it had received charges and Fahey's registration had been suspended.
The allegations against Fahey were revealed in a TV3 20/20 programme in late 1998.
Fahey unsuccessfully sought an injunction to stop a second programme backing the allegations, including a former patient who confronted him in his surgery with a hidden camera.
After the programmes, more women came forward and a police inquiry was re-opened.
Fahey began defamation proceedings against TV3, but they are likely to be dismissed at a hearing scheduled for July.
TV3's director of news and current affairs, Mark Jennings, told the Herald: "We feel very vindicated. This is a battle we have fought long and hard on behalf of these women."
Sobbing doctor confesses to sex charges
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