Sex abuse claim 'led to victim bashing'

5-11-2009 Australia:

A MAN has been bashed to within an inch of his life after making claims of abuse against a doctor - with links to the NT - who then committed suicide.

Simon Todd Bennett, 30, has been charged with attempted murder over an attack on Will Meinhardt at his East Malvern home two weeks ago.

Mr Meinhardt was rushed to intensive care at the Alfred Hospital on the evening of April 29 after the attack.

He suffered serious head injuries and internal bleeding after allegedly being bashed with a statue and a dumbbell.

He was also allegedly burnt with a cigarette.

Doctors have said he was lucky to survive the attack.

"Neither the ambulance officers nor the doctors can understand how I am still here," Mr Meinhardt said.

"My mother didn't recognise me."

Dr David Thomas Kings committed suicide in January after Mr Meinhardt claimed he was sexually abused by him.

At the time of his death Dr Kings was under police investigation over claims that he had abused several men, including Mr Meinhardt.

Dr Kings had been involved in providing health care in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. ..News Source.. by NT News