Former Edmonton chiropractor pleads guilty to six sexual assaults dating back to 1980s

0
339

Ronald Harry Latch, a former Edmonton chiropractor, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault on March 1, 2021.Ronald Harry Latch, a former Edmonton chiropractor, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault on March 1, 2021. Photo by supplied

Article content

Warning: this story contains details some readers may find disturbing.

Six women abused by a former Edmonton chiropractor — in some cases as long as 40 years ago — watched as he pleaded guilty to the crimes Monday.

Ronald Harry Latch, 67, entered guilty pleas to six counts of sexual assault in a cavernous Edmonton courtroom designed for hearings during the COVID pandemic.

A chiropractor in Edmonton since the early 1980s, he admitted to inappropriately touching the victims — two of whom were minors  — by massaging their breasts and vaginal areas with either his hands or a vibrating instrument. The assaults occurred between 1981 and 1990.

One of the women who Latch assaulted as a minor came forward to police in 2018.

Edmonton police charged Latch in 2019 and issued a news release seeking additional complainants. He eventually faced a total of 12 charges related to sexual assault.

Speaking outside court, one of the women Latch assaulted said it was “empowering” to see him admit the crimes. Nevertheless, she said she was “shocked” to find Latch continued practicing after she initially came forward in the early 1990s.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“He fell through the cracks,” she said.

According to an agreed statement of facts read into the record by prosecutor Allison Downey-Damato, Latch began practicing in 1981. He worked out of at least two offices, one on 124 Street and 107 Avenue and another at 111 Avenue and Groat Road.

The identities of the women are covered by a publication ban. They described their experiences as frightening, painful and embarrassing.

One recalled Latch “moaning and groaning” while he touched her breasts during an exam. Another said Latch on two occasions used a vibrating tool on her upper thigh. The final two exams took place at an empty office, with no receptionist or other patients present, she said.

“She felt horrible afterwards and did not want to believe it had happened,” the agreed facts state.

Other victims described Latch using the vibrating tool, which in some cases he placed directly on their genital areas. A victim who was in Grade 6 at the time said Latch also massaged her breasts and pressed his erect penis against her body. She visited his clinic around 12 times before eventually refusing to go.

An expert witness called by the Crown, Dr. Frank Stuart Kinsinger, testified that there is no legitimate chiropractic reason to touch a patient’s breasts or genitals.

A woman who was sexually assaulted by former chiropractor Ronald Latch at his Edmonton clinic three decades ago speaks to reporters outside the Edmonton courthouse on March 1, 2021, shortly after Latch pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault.A woman who was sexually assaulted by former chiropractor Ronald Latch at his Edmonton clinic three decades ago speaks to reporters outside the Edmonton courthouse on March 1, 2021, shortly after Latch pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault. jpg

Earlier trial

Latch faced allegations of misconduct in the 1990s when he was tried for two counts of sexual assault against two female patients, according to newspaper articles from the time. Both complainants described Latch placing a vibrating massage pad on their genitals.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Latch denied placing the vibrating pad anywhere inappropriate. A jury acquitted him in 1994.

The woman who spoke outside court first came forward that same year. She said she decided not to pursue charges after learning disciplinary proceedings against Latch were already ongoing. She said she was told by the regulatory body that “they had enough witnesses come forward.”

She came forward a second time in 2019 after seeing the police news release.

“I wanted this gentleman to know — he knew, of course, he knew what he did — that he did not hold anything over me anymore,” she said.

“There are cracks in the health system, and professionals need to be held accountable for their actions,” she said, adding she is considering her options in civil court. “If your inner gut is telling you that whatever a professional is doing is wrong, it is more than likely dead wrong.”

In a statement, the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors said it is beginning disciplinary proceedings against Latch under the Health Professions Act.

Latch has been barred from practicing in Alberta since Oct. 31, 2019. Prior to that, on Aug. 23, 2019, the college placed conditions on Latch’s licence which prevented him from treating female patients unless accompanied by a chaperone who has been informed of the charges against him.

The college said prior legislation prevents it from disclosing information about investigations or discipline prior to 2007.

Latch remains in the community under conditions. His sentencing hearing is set for June 2. A pre-sentence report will be prepared in the meantime.

Downey-Damato told Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Marta Burns that she and defence lawyer Karanpal Aujla will recommend Latch be incarcerated, though they disagree on the length of time.

jwakefield@postmedia.com

twitter.com/jonnywakefield

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.