Newfoundland dentist granted absolute discharge [Video]

GANDER, N.L. –

 A dental surgeon who allowed a correctional officer to extract four teeth from a sedated inmate in central Newfoundland was granted an absolute discharge by a Supreme Court judge on Tuesday.

Justice Melanie Del Rizzo told a courtroom in Gander, N.L., that although Dr. Louis Bourget violated his position of authority and trust, convicting him of a criminal offence and putting him in custody would serve neither the dentist nor the public.

“I acknowledge that Dr. Bourget made a terrible mistake and, in doing so, assaulted (the victim) Blair Harris,” Del Rizzo said, appearing via videoconference. “However, in all circumstances of this case, I am not prepared to burden Dr. Bourget with a criminal conviction, given the extreme repercussions to him that would follow such a conviction.”

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

The court has heard that Harris was escorted …