LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although recognising that there had been inconsistencies in testimonies from alleged molestation victims, a Los Angeles judge says there is enough potential evidence to warrant a trial into accusations against physician Kevin Brown, the son of Premier Ewart Brown.

As reported in yesterday's The Royal Gazette, Brown was ordered on Wednesday to stand trial on 33 counts of molesting female patients at Los Angeles medical clinics where he practiced.

The decision by Superior Court Judge William R. Hollingsworth Jr. came after a week of testimony from 12 women, including an undercover vice officer and a 15-year-old girl. They testified that Kevin Antario Brown, 37, touched them inappropriately. One woman said he raped her.

Brown is charged with 33 felony sex counts involving 12 alleged victims over five years. Last year, he pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.

Brown, who is free on $4 million bail, was ordered to appear for arraignment in Superior Court on February 25.

The judge heard vigorous arguments for dismissal from Brown's lawyer, Blair Berk, who claimed that many of the women were inconsistent in what they testified to during the preliminary hearing and what they had told police. She said some came forward long after the alleged incidents only because they learned on TV broadcasts that Brown had been arrested.

The judge said he found the women believable.

"I recognise there were inconsistencies in the testimony of a number of witnesses and some testimony I would classify as incorrect," he said. But he said the inconsistencies were not significant enough to warrant dismissal of charges.

"All of the witnesses were very credible, including the (undercover) officer who testified," he said.

He said there was sufficient cause to believe Brown guilty for the purpose of ordering him to stand trial.

Berk said later, "Dr. Brown will continue to vigorously defend his factual innocence in this case."

She noted that "the showing required for probable cause for a preliminary hearing is obviously extremely low."

She said she could not comment on the facts of the case because of a court order governing Brown's bail.

Deputy District Attorney Ann Marie Wise said outside court: "I think it was an appropriate outcome. ... I don't believe there were any substantial inconsistencies."

She said the alleged assaults occurred at three clinics where Brown worked, including a weight loss clinic.

Some of the women testified that they came to Brown with complaints such as the flu or an ankle injury and suddenly found themselves being subjected to breast and pelvic exams.

The last witness to testify Wednesday said she could not positively identify Brown in court and had come forward only after she saw the story of his arrest on TV. But she said she had been uncomfortable ever since she came to Brown with flu symptoms and he performed a breast and vaginal examination.

"I had a feeling that something was wrong but I wasn't for sure," she said. "I was uncomfortable at the time but I didn't know for sure if it was on purpose or it was his protocol."

She said she told her mother about the visit.

"She said this wasn't a regular exam," the witness said.