A physician, previously suspended, facing 71 criminal charges, including new allegations from his time as a medical student, has been identified as David Edward-Ooi Poon. The charges brought forward by Toronto police date back to 2009, encompassing various sex-related offenses. The newly added charges consist of seven counts of sexual assault and fifteen counts of voyeurism spanning from 2009 to 2024. Additionally, three counts of sexual interference involving minors, possession of child sexual abuse material, and a count of mischief have been levied against Poon.
The charges against Poon, both new and previous, have yet to be tested in court. These recent charges reveal a timeframe between 2009 and 2017 for the alleged offenses, with some incidents occurring in undisclosed locations across Canada. Furthermore, the updated charge sheet suggests the involvement of 13 potential victims, identified by initials, in contrast to the previous vague references to ‘an unknown person.’
David Butt, a criminal lawyer, emphasized the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence amidst the serious nature of the allegations. He highlighted the potential consequences if Poon were to be found guilty of the crimes, indicating a severe outcome for someone engaging in such behavior.
Poon’s legal representative, Megan Savard, clarified that the charges against Poon do not pertain to his medical practice. The expanded charges implicate Poon in sexual assaults in Alberta and voyeurism in Saskatchewan, shedding light on his activities during his medical education and employment in these regions.
The Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in Ontario and Saskatchewan have taken action to suspend Poon’s medical license pending the outcome of the charges. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with the possibility of further disciplinary action following any convictions.
Given the complexity and extent of the alleged crimes, legal experts anticipate a prolonged legal process before the case reaches trial. The investigation was initiated following alerts from Google regarding suspected child sexual abuse material linked to Poon’s online accounts, leading to his arrest and subsequent detention.
Poon is currently in custody and is scheduled for a court appearance via video link. His legal team awaits additional evidence disclosure before considering a bail application. The case continues to unfold as authorities delve deeper into the allegations against the suspended physician.