(file photo)
A doctor with hospital privileges at Northumberland Hills Hospital is facing criminal charges by Northumberland OPP.
Dr. William Morton, (age 65), and a woman Jamie Paddon, (age 55), both of Cramahe Township are jointly charged with:
1. Sexual Assault, between December 24, 2020 and December 27, 2020, contrary to Section 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
2. Overcoming Resistance by Administering a Drug, between December 24, 2020 and December 27, 2020, contrary to Section 246(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
3. Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm, between December 24, 2020 and December 27, 2020, contrary to Section 221 of the Criminal Code of Canada, following a search warrant in Cramahe Township on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
The OPP Major Crime Unit along with OPP specialty units including the Emergency Response Team (ERT), Tactics Rescue Unit (TRU), and Forensic Identification Services (FIS), along with uniform members, assisted with the execution of the search warrant that took place at a residence west of the village of Castleton.
Northumberland Hills Hospital Public Affairs spokesperson Jennifer Gillard stated in a e-mail to Today’s Northumberland, “I can confirm that Dr. William (Bill) Morton, anesthesiologist, holds Courtesy Staff credentials at Northumberland Hills Hospital, as a locum (occasional) service provider. NHH is aware that a charge has been made against Dr. Morton and we will cooperate fully with any information required by police to support their investigation. Dr. Morton is not currently delivering care to patients at NHH.”
On the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website it states that Dr. Morton has been an active member since 1981 and held an independent practise since April 29, 1983.
Dr. Morton has three different areas of practice in Toronto and also has hospital privileges at Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg.
Dr. Morton’s specialities since 1985 have been anesthesiology.
On January 5, 2021, the following conditions of release (bail conditions) were imposed on William Morton:
1. Reside with surety every night at specified address except as provided for employment purposes and subject to situations where it would be unsafe to travel.
2. Remain in Ontario.
3. Deposit your passport with the Northumberland OPP at 1166 Division Street, Cobourg, ON within 48 hours of your release from custody. Do not reapply for a passport or any other travel permits or documents.
4. Do not contact or communicate in any way directly or indirectly, by any physical, electronic or other means, with specified persons.
5. Do not be within 500 metres of any place where you know any of the specified persons live, work, go to school, frequent or any place you know the person(s) to be except for required court appearances.
6. Do not possess any weapons as defined by the Criminal Code.
7. If you now possess any weapon(s) as defined in the Criminal Code you must deposit them, along with every authorization, licence and registration certificate relating to any of these items, to the police at The Northumberland OPP within 48 hours of your release from custody or you shall provide any such item to the Northumberland OPP who attends at specified address.
In the initial release by Northumberland OPP it stated, “The names of the accused are being withheld to protect the identity of the victim,” but in a follow-up release it stated the names of the accused.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
