A Windsor psychiatrist has been found not guilty of sexual assault and extortion charges.
Following a trial, Dr. Ravi Shenava has been acquitted on all five counts of sexual assault and one count of extortion.
The complainant testified the 66-year-old doctor forced her to have sex with him from 2012 to 2015 in his office in exchange for his signature on a disability support payment application.
In her ruling, Justice Rene Pomerance said credibility was at the heart of the analysis of the case and given the complainant's criminal antecedents and her willingness to lie, it was a dangerous combination and created reasonable doubt.
"Dr. Shenava is pleased with the outcome," says lawyer David Humphrey outside of the Superior Courthouse. "All he ever wanted was a fair trial and a fair trial in this case required a careful analysis and assessment of the complainant's evidence."
Humphrey says the complainant had enormous credibility problems.'
"Some in her background and significant credibility problems in the story she told and you heard she openly admitted she created evidence," he says.
At one point in the trial, the complainant testified she staged an event by leaving his office upset and calling him a pervert in order to get some evidence and eye witnesses.
She also openly admitted in court to stealing 800 vehicles and selling drugs.
"It was difficult to distinguish between the truth and falsehood, " said Justice Pomerance. "She may or may not be lying."
Dr. Shevana faces other sexual assault charges which are still before the courts.