A stipendiary magistrate was today continuing to hear evidence about the medical condition of a retired psychiatrist accused of raping and indecently assaulting former women patients.

Dr William Kerr, 73, of Alne, near Easingwold, is facing four charges of rape and 15 of indecent assault between 1968 and 1988 at York, Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Ferrensby and Newton-on-Ouse.

Medical witnesses are giving evidence at Harrogate Magistrates Court about Dr Kerr's physical and mental condition as his barrister, Robert Smith QC, asks for a ruling on the former consultant's fitness to stand trial and fitness to plead.

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