Former Halifax psychiatrist Curtis Steele facing child porn charges

A former psychiatrist who practised in Halifax and taught at Dalhousie University has been charged with achild pornography offence.

Dr. Curtis Steele, 82, is charged with printing and publishing child pornography.The alleged offence took place 11 years ago, between January and December 2004.

Heis expected to answer to the charges on June 16. In the meantime, Steelehas been ordered to stay away from schools, playgrounds and can have no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.

Steele practiced in Nova Scotia between 1988 and 2013.

He gave up his licence to practise after complaints to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and a disciplinary hearing last year determined he had taken nude photographs of a 14-year-old female patient he was treating in 2003.

The decision from the college saidone of the girl's parents worked withSteele and considered him a friend.

A committee that investigated the complaint found a number of concerns about Steele's behaviour, including the allegations thatSteeletook the photos of his 14-year-old patient, as well as prescribing thedrug Paxil without a supporting diagnosis.

The college received asecond complaint from a woman who said Steele also took her picture while treating her in2003. She was 14 at the time.

Steele agreed to the terms of the college's settlement to stop practising medicine and never apply for a licence again.

He was also handed a$5,000 fine last year to help cover the college's costs of the investigation. Steele admitted to professional misconduct, but not necessarily the facts outlined in the agreement.

Steelewasalso a faculty member at Dalhousie University's Department of Psychiatry, but retired in 2013. Hehadn't taught medical students in over a decade, Dalhousie spokeswomanAllison Gerrard told CBC News last year.