Brisbane sonographer Dennis Paterno Orola sentenced after pleading guilt to rape

A Brisbane sonographer who sexually abused vulnerable patients by pretending he was performing valid clinical procedures has been sentenced to four years’ jail.

Dennis Paterno Orola, pictured with his lawyer, was sentenced to four years’ jail to be suspended after 16 months.

A Brisbane sonographer who used his position of power to sexually abuse his vulnerable patients has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

Dennis Paterno Orola, 59, pretended he was performing valid clinical procedures when he raped and assaulted three women for his own sexual gratification between 2018 and 2020.

Orola on Monday pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault and one of rape arising from the incidents committed against women receiving ultrasounds at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

His first victim in 2018 reported the harrowing encounter to authorities but no action was taken against him and he went on to sexually assault two more women.

Outside court, the woman, now aged 41, said she had been devastated to learn Orola had gone on to abuse other women after her complaints fell on deaf ears.

Then aged 37, she had gone to the Princess Alexandra hospital in August 2018 for an upper abdomen ultrasound.

During the appointment, Orola claimed her lymph nodes were swollen and that her groin needed to be examined.

He pulled down her underwear without warning, forced her legs apart and used the probe to touch her vagina.

The woman contacted 13 Health and police but after speaking with Orola, they took no action against him.

Dennis Paterno Orola arrives at the Brisbane Supreme court for sentencing. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

In March 2020, Orola preyed upon a 21-year-old patient who presented with abdominal pain.

He told her to strip naked, gave her a small and inadequate modesty towel and commented that she must be very sexually active.

Orola sat between the woman’s legs and stared at her vagina for 10 seconds before pressing his fingers against her vagina three times.

When she asked what he was doing, Orola claimed he was checking for anatomical abnormalities.

He then used the ultrasound probe to penetrate the woman, causing significant pain.

Months later in June, Orola abused a 55-year-old female patient, pulling her pants down and pushing the ultrasound probe against her groin.

He then aggressively inserted his fingers inside her vagina with no medical justification

“It was in each case a gross breach of trust,” Judge Tony Moynihan KC said.

“It was a persistent and consistent course of conduct and the victims were vulnerable in the circumstances.”

Defence barrister Ruth O’Gorman KC said Orola had resigned his position and surrendered his nursing registration.

The court heard Orola, a father-of-two, had immigrated to Australia from the Philippines in 1990 and had dedicated his life to work and family.

“He has lost his ability to work in the area he took great pride in,” Ms O’Gorman said.

“He has been greatly embarrassed and ashamed to have to deal with these matters with the knowledge of his family.”

Orola was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment to be suspended after he has served 16 months in jail.

A Princess Alexandra Hospital spokeswoman said any claim of misconduct was taken seriously.

“We are extremely distressed that this former staff member assaulted a number of patients at PA Hospital,” Acting Executive Director Rachel Phillips said.

“We offer our sincere apologies for what they have been through.

“Immediate action was taken when the complaint was received with the staff member immediately stood down and the matter escalated to the Metro South Health Ethical Standards Unit.”

Investigations by Queensland Police did not result in any charges and Orola was able to return to work subject to supervision, monitoring and chaperone conditions.

“We continually review our procedures to ensure patient safety, including the use of additional and appropriate staff members to provide reassurance to patients during an examination or procedure,” Ms Phillips said.

It’s understood Orola resigned amid formal disciplinary action after the second victim made a complaint.

The third victim made a complaint after Orola had resigned.