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Defence wraps up review of patients in Sloka sexual assault trial ahead of cross examination

Defense lawyer David Humphrey began wrapping up the review of former patients of neurologist Jeffrey Sloka in the sexual assault trial on Thursday, ahead of the cross examination, which is expected to begin next week. Sloka had been testifying since early August at the Waterloo Region Courthouse.

Sloka has pleaded not guilty to all counts

James Chaarani · CBC News ·
The Waterloo Region Courthouse on a rainy day.
The Jeffrey Sloka trial continued on Thursday at the Waterloo Region Courthouse. (James Chaarani/CBC)

Defense lawyer David Humphrey began wrapping up the review of former patients of neurologist Jeffrey Sloka in the sexual assault trial on Thursday, ahead of cross examination, which is expected to begin next week.

Sloka had been testifying since early August at the Waterloo Region Courthouse. He is facing 50 counts of sexual assault in connection to incidents dating back to 2010. The alleged victims, who were patients seeking treatment, ranged in age from their teens to their 50s.

Sloka allegedly asked patients to undress so he could perform a physical or skin examination. It's also alleged he inappropriately touched their skin and genitals. Sloka has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

On Thursday morning, defence began by questioning him about a condition called pituitary adenomas — a type of tumour — before going into the details of the final three patients.

While providing testimony, Sloka appeared to get frustrated while trying to express details to Justice Craig Parry about pituitary adenomas. Justice Parry kept stopping him, asking for clarification in what was technical testimony.  

Over the past few weeks, defence has been going over details of each individual claimant, reviewing things like the type of exams he performed, such as cardiac, breast and internal pelvic exams, and the medical justification for them.  

Sloka had a primary practice at Grand River Hospital but also had privileges at Guelph General Hospital and St Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener.  

He was put under restrictions in September 2017 due to the accusations of patients for which he now stands trial.  

He was stripped of his medical licence in May 2019. He was arrested four months later in September 2019.  

Police announced multiple sets of charges against Sloka and by June 17, 2021, he faced 76 allegations in connection with separate alleged sexual assaults against women in Waterloo region.  

However, since then, 26 charges were withdrawn at the request of the Crown.  

Sloka is expected to return to the stand Monday. 

 

Read more about this trial and events leading up to it through CBC's coverage here: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Chaarani

Associate Producer / Reporter

James Chaarani is an associate producer with season nine of CBC's "Now or Never." He also worked as a reporter in the Kitchener-Waterloo and London, Ont. newsrooms and did a stint with Ontario syndication, covering provincial issues. You can reach him at james.chaarani@cbc.ca.

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