A Brisbane sonographer who sexually assaulted three patients by performing "unnecessary and illegitimate procedures" has been handed a four-year sentence, but will spend less than half of it in custody.
Dennis Orola was sentenced in the Brisbane District Court on Monday after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape.
The court heard the 59-year-old sexually assaulted three women aged in their 20s, 30s and 50s while carrying out ultrasounds at the Princess Alexandra Hospital between 2018 and 2020.
Orola repeatedly made deliberate physical, and in some instances painful, contact with each woman's genitals with either his hands or an ultrasound transducer while "pretending to perform a valid clinical procedure", the court heard.
Judge Tony Moynihan said Orola's offending was "persistent and consistent" and done so for his own sexual gratification.
"You performed unnecessary and illegitimate procedures," he said.
Judge Moynihan said the victims had been particularly "vulnerable" due to his position of power.
"It was in each case a gross breach of trust," he said.
Orola was sentenced to four years in jail, but it will be suspended after 16 months.
After he was handed his punishment, Orola who was on bail, was taken into custody.
Victim 'super angry' offending continued after complaint
Outside court one of the victim's said it was a "very significant" and "emotional" day for her.
"He got what he deserved, justice has been served," she said.
"I wanted him to spend time behind bars."
Through tears the woman said she no longer feels comfortable visiting health professionals.
The woman was the first person attacked by Orola, but the court heard after she reported it to the hospital and police, he was never charged, and returned to work.
"It felt like it was being covered up," she said.
She said she was "super angry" when she discovered he went on to further offend in the same manner.
"I was devastated when I heard of the other two victims – I had no words," she said.
