A jury has been asked to consider the case of each woman individually when deliberating in the trial of a Newcastle doctor accused of sexually abusing more than 40 women.
Newcastle immunologist Jeremy Michael Stafford Coleman, 64, is accused of sexually abusing 45 women over 20 years to 2013.
His trial has gone for 10 months, making it one of the longest criminal matters in Newcastle.
The Crown told the District Court in Newcastle today Dr Coleman did not have a proper medical purpose to examine patients' genitals, a claim rejected by the defence.
In summing up, judge Penelope Hock said Dr Coleman was disadvantaged by the historical nature of the case.
"In many cases, documents relating to the women had been destroyed as part of the normal course of business," Judge Hock said.
"Dr Coleman was in a situation of significant disadvantage.
"Had he learned of allegations at an earlier time, he may have found witnesses or evidence that's contradicted a complainant."
Jury advised about meaning of delayed reporting
Judge Hock said many of the women had waited years to make complaints and only did so after police issued media releases.
She said as a result the jury would have to examine the crown's case carefully.
But she said delayed reporting of alleged abuse did not mean a person was untruthful.
The judge also said the jury needed to consider each woman individually, stressing it was up to the crown to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
"Suspicion is not good enough," Judge Hock said.
The judge also noted several alleged victims had repeatedly made claims to different people.
But she said the repetition of claims did not mean they were necessarily true.
The judge's summing up is expected to take several days.
