Dentist cleared of sex assault charge

A DENTIST who was convicted last year of sexually assaulting a trainee dental nurse was cleared yesterday of sexually assaulting another trainee dental nurse at his practice.

John Tait, 58, of Glen House, Upper Rochestown, Cork, who has been based at 6 St Patrick’s Terrace in Douglas, Co Cork, for 30 years, was acquitted of the single charge at Cork District Court after Judge Leo Malone said he had a doubt about the veracity of the complainant’s evidence.

Last October, Mr Tait was convicted of sexually assaulting a trainee dental nurse after Judge Tim Lucey ruled that he believed the dentist’s motives were indecent when he opened buttons on her tunic.