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Doctor to appear in court

possible jail sentence in the US, will be able to enjoy at least three weeks of freedom before his first court appearance.

Dr. Miller has returned to Florida to face charges of breaching his community service and probation, which were imposed after he pleaded no contest in 1997 to having unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl who is now his wife.

The doctor, who worked in the King Edward VII Memorial for more than two years, theoretically could be jailed for 45 years.

His US attorney John Howes said the 32-year-old paediatrician will be living with his wife, now 18, in the Fort Lauderdale area.

On December 27, he will make a first appearance at the Broward County Courthouse, Fort Lauderdale, to face the community service and probation violation charges. The next hearing is likely to be in January or February.

He is charged with breaching his sentence by moving to Jamaica after serving just one month.

On Wednesday, US Justice Department marshals escorted Dr. Miller back to Miami after he waived extradition proceedings on the Island and agreed to return to the US voluntarily.

Dr. Miller was held in custody at the Broward County Jail, Fort Lauderdale, for several hours before being released on bail after he posted bond of $30,000.

The Royal Gazette revealed yesterday that Dr. Miller is planning to seek to have his conviction for having unlawful sex with the teenage girl set aside, which would result in a trial.

Mr. Howes said his client would argue that did not knowingly and voluntarily enter the plea of no contest, and was not given accurate legal advice about the consequences.

He alleged that Dr. Miller had a relationship with his wife's mother and that she had instigated the charges because she was jealous of the doctor's liason with her daughter.

In addition, Dr. Miller will contest the violation charge. Mr. Howes said Dr.

Miller's former attorney had advised him he could leave the country, and had helped him to do so.

In fact, the doctor needed written permission from a judge to leave the country.