TORONTO -- A disgraced former Toronto doctor, already stripped of his medical licence for scamming terminal cancer patients, was found guilty yesterday of fleecing a poor Chatham-Kent Mennonite family.

Ravi Devgan promised Wallaceburg residents Jacob and Maria Harms their sons -- Jake Jr. and Willy Harms, now 12, who have cerebral palsy -- would walk and talk again if they took his costly treatment program, said Justice Carolyn Horkins.

She found the 59-year-old guilty of four counts of fraud and assault with a weapon for injecting the wheelchair-bound twins in 2004.

This is similar to what in 2004 cost Devgan his licence: He preyed on dying cancer patients, selling them on costly but useless treatments.

Horkins said Devgan concealed the fact he lost his medical licence in January 2004, so he could bilk the "vulnerable" Wallaceburg family of $3,000 cash for each large injection and $350 for small ones.

Horkins said the Mennonite couple sold their Mexican farm and equipment for US$20,000 in 2003 and engaged in a church fundraiser to help cover expenses for a cure.

The Harms paid Devgan $15,000 in 2003.

"The similarities between . . . this case and the facts that led to the (licence loss) are striking," said Horkins.

"(He) preyed on a vulnerable family. To further his own financial interest he never told Mr. Harms about the revocation. He continued to charge for expensive injections when he knew he was no longer permitted to do so."

The Harms paid about $30,000 for injections over four years. The treatments produced almost no improvements in the boys' conditions. They remain in wheelchairs.

The father cut off the treatments once he learned Devgan had lost his licence and why.

In revoking Devgan's licence, a committee of the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons found he exploited "three families who have a loved one diagnosed with terminal cancer (whom) he offered hope and then charged excessive amounts of money to be paid up front."

All three patients, new immigrants, paid huge sums for treatments that "appeared to have little, if any, utility," the discipline committee said.

Maria Harms was relieved to learn of yesterday's verdict.

"Good, I'm glad the judge believed my husband. I hope justice is done in the end."

Devgan, who maintains his innocence, says he will appeal.

His sentencing is Sept. 17.