Doctor sent for trial at crown court

By myoung

A FORMER family doctor appeared in Lewes Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to deny carrying out a string of child sex offences.

Dr Antony Collis, 58, of Station Road, Wadhurst, was accused of indecently assaulting young girls who were his patients over an eight-year period.

The offences allegedly took place between June 1995 and April 2003 and Dr Collis is accused of indecently assaulting seven different girls, aged between 10 and 14.

Dr Collis is also charged with nine counts in relation to the possession of child abuse images between April 2004 and October 2008.

The former GP, who spoke only to confirm his name and address and deny all charges, was a well-known family doctor during the time in which the allegations have been made.

He worked at the Belmont Surgery, Wadhurst, where he was a senior partner for 25 years.

Bespectacled Dr Collis, who stood next to the dock in a grey suit and maroon tie, has a total of 22 charges against him.

Dr Collis, who was granted unconditional bail, will appear at Lewes Magistrates' Court on January 13 when the case will be committed to crown court.

Chairman of the bench, Mr David Watkins, said the matters were too serious to be dealt with in the magistrates' court.

Mr Flew, defending, also said that matters should be taken to crown court.