SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife family physician who has been convicted of several charges in the last two years is back before the courts.

Dr. Richard Cunningham, 60, pleaded not guilty to a charge of uttering threats and three charges of breaching court orders, in territorial court on Wednesday. He is accused of having committed the offences in August and September.

Crown prosecutor Angie Paquin would not provide further details on the allegations due to information not yet having been read into the court.

"All I can tell you is what's on the docket," said Paquin.

Cunningham is scheduled to be back in court Tuesday to set a date for his trial.

Calls made to officials with his employer, the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, concerning the status of Cunningham's employment were not returned by press time.

Employees of the health authority and the territorial government can face disciplinary action by their employer if convicted of criminal offences, according to Damien Healy, manager of communications for the Department of Health and Social Services.

"The worst case scenario is that they could have their licence revoked," said Healy. "If someone's convicted of a criminal offence the professional board of medical licensing, as well as his employer, would look at it and determine if actions are necessary."

Cunningham was convicted on May 28 for falsely declaring he had a bomb in his luggage at the Yellowknife Airport. Alcohol was a factor in the incident, and he entered into an agreement with the health authority that he would not consume alcohol for three years. He was fined $3,000 at the time.

"The terms of the agreement include ... complete abstention from alcohol ... follow-up by a psychiatrist to address issues of anger management ... (and) regular monitoring by the YHSSA medical director Dr. (Ewan) Affleck or designate," stated a letter from the health authority, submitted to the court during those proceedings.

In August 2008 Cunningham was convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and his licence was suspended for one year. Later that year, in October, he was caught driving with a suspended licence and was fined $1,500.

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