'Hog-tie' doctor denies claim he offered to flush the head of a child patient in toilet
A Gold Coast paediatrician accused of hog-tying a young boy during a consultation has denied claims he offered to flush the child's head in a toilet, in an act referred to as a "swirlie".
Dr Neville Davis has pleaded not guilty during a summary trial in the Southport Magistrates Court to common assault of a seven-year-old patient who has behavioural problems and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The boy's mother, who cannot be identified, testified Dr Neville used a long white rope to bind her son's arms and legs together as he lay on the floor of the Southport consulting rooms in October 2012.
Dr Davis then sat on the kid's back to demonstrate a restraint technique and smiled as the mother photographed the alleged assault, she told the court.
The mother said the boy thought he was involved in a game and wriggled free from the binds.
Dr Davis retied her son and told the mother: "We'll see how long it takes to get out of this one."
He said it was a good way to "fix children when throwing a tantrum", the court was told.
The woman said her son began to panic.
"This is a lot tighter than the last time," her son allegedly said.
The mother said the paediatrician then sat on her son's lower back and said, "I won't get off until you stop throwing this tantrum."
The mother intervened when her son became distressed and left the consulting rooms but not before paying Dr Davis' $300 consultation bill.
On the way out of the rooms the child indicated he wanted to use a bathroom and Dr Davis allegedly offered to flush his head down the toilet.
The paediatrician took the stand this afternoon and denied the claim.
The trial continues.
