Saint John doctor charged with sexual assault

A Saint John doctorhas been charged withsexual assault.

Dr. Alan Cockeram, a gastroenterologist,is scheduled to betried by a judge and jury early next year, following a closed pre-trial hearing in December.

Cockeram, 59,remains an active physician with a practice on Main Street.

It's unclear what, if any action the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick will take pending the trial.

Dr Ed Schollenberg, registrar of the regulatory body,told CBC Newshe does not yet have enough information about the case to comment.

The Crown is proceeding by way of indictment, which is a more serious charge than a summary offence.

If convicted, Cockeram could face up to 10 years in prison.

Cockeram's defence lawyer David Rogers elected a judge and jury trial on behalf of his client, who did not appear in provincial court Thursday.

He also requested the closed pre-trial hearing, which willdetermine if some of the evidence will be admissible at trial

The hearing isslated for Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

A preliminary inquiry has been scheduled for Jan. 7, starting at 9:30 a.m. Three days have been set aside.

A trial date has not yet been set.