By Brad Segall

NORRISTOWN, Pa (CBS) — A Montgomery County judge has sentenced a former weight loss doctor to at least 4½ years in state prison for groping or sexually assaulting several patients in his Conshohocken office over a span of two years (read related story).

Doctor Arie Oren was convicted last year of four counts of aggravated indecent assault and five counts of indecent assault for having inappropriate contact with five women between 2008 and 2010. The judge sentenced the 66-year-old doctor to 4½ to 9 years behind bars.

Defense attorney Tim Woodward tried to mitigate the sentence by telling the court his client was so overcome with grief after losing his wife to cancer he didn’t know what he was doing. Prosecutor Jordan Friter believes the bereavement argument was overstated.

“I think the testimony at the trial revealed that he was actually quite jovial when he was doing these things,” Friter said. “There was testimony from his receptionist that said that things at the office were fine and he was great to work for.”

One victim told the court he took a piece of her away that she can never get back.

“Although all of the victims couldn’t be here today, I believe that they all share the same sentiment,” Friter said. “They’re going to be thinking about what he did for the rest of their lives.”

Dr. Oren says he was devastated by what happened and hopes they can forgive him.