Retired petty officer James Wilks leaves court during a break at his court martial in Gatineau, Que., on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013.Fred Chartrand
A military judge has rendered a guilty verdict in the sex assault court martial of a former Canadian Forces medic on more than two dozen charges.
Retired petty officer James Wilks will now face sentencing on 25 sexual assault and breach of trust charges involving 16 women over six years.
In a West Quebec courtroom near Ottawa, military judge Lt.-Col. Louis-Vincent d'Auteuil handed down the verdict after reading a detailed summary of the case that concluded the testimony of the women should be believed.
The charges allege inappropriate medical exams at Ontario military recruitment sites in Thunder Bay and London from 2003 to 2009.
Wilks used the medical exams to see and touch the women's breasts, and let them think it was part of the examination, which was "totally dishonest," D'Auteuil said.
"The court found no reason to disbelieve any of these women."
Wilks testified on his own behalf, but d'Auteuil said he was not believable.
The judge accepted evidence that there was no need for the women to have undergone breast exams at their age. No such exam is required for women under the age of 40.
"He did that for his own personal sexual gratification," said d'Auteuil.
There is a publication ban on the identities of the women.
In all, Wilks faced 16 charges of breach of trust and 10 sex assault counts. He was acquitted of a lone breach of trust charge.
Prosecutors and defence lawyers were meeting in the judge's chambers to discuss a possible sentencing date.
The sentencing hearing was expected to take several days.
Wilks has already served jail time for the same offence.
In a separate case, a military judge in December 2011 sentenced Wilks to nine months in jail after he was convicted of one count of sexual assault and four counts of breach of trust.