A French doctor was handed a suspended sentence of two years in prison Monday for sexual acts against eight patients.
Osteopath Joel Raboutet was accused of touching in a sexual manner the patients, aged 22 to 65 years, between 1997 and 2001.
The tribunal handling the case in Dax, France, also awarded the patients more than $5,400 in interest and damages.
But the court did not recognize similar charges leveled against the doctor by two other patients.
Raboutet steadfastly denied any wrongdoing during his trial.
His lawyers said Monday they would appeal the verdict, France's TF1 television reported.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International

