Prosecution rests in Shafiul Milky rape trial, with jury told witness accounts “credible and reliable”

A jury has been told of alleged grooming techniques used by an “arrogant” Ocean Grove doctor accused of sexually assaulting six patients, including one alleged digital rape that occurred in front of a four-month-old child.

Former Ocean Grove doctor Shafiul Milky. Picture: Mark Wilson

A JURY has been told of the alleged brazen grooming techniques used by an “arrogant” Ocean Grove doctor accused of sexually assaulting six patients, including one alleged digital rape that occurred in front of a four-month-old child.

Crown prosecuting lawyer Richard Pirrie told the jury on Tuesday, during closing submissions of the month-long trial, not to be deceived by the “complete conflict” of Dr Shafiul Milky’s version of events and that of the victims, who he described as “impressive” and “credible and reliable witnesses”.

Dr Milky, 59, has pleaded not guilty in the County Court of Victoria to 15 charges of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault alleged to have occurred between September 2012 and February 2019 while working as a GP at the Ocean Grove Peninsula Family Medical Centre.

Dr Shafiul Milky outside court. Picture: Mark Wilson

He is also accused of assaulting a woman in her own home in his role as a doctor with the National Home Service.

“You’ve heard evidence from six women,” Mr Pirrie told the jury.

“They were impressive witnesses and all normal people that have one thing in common, that they were all sexually assaulted by the accused.

“That is the only thing they have in common.”

During the closing submission, Mr Pirrie again outlined the alleged offences against the six women.
The court heard Dr Milky mumbled “very nice” after allegedly inserting his fingers inside one young victim, a mother of two, while her four-month-old child was in the examination room.

The court was told she had presented to the clinic complaining of abdominal pain and thrush, but was told by the doctor “you are going to do a pap smear and you are going to do it now.”

The victim described “dissociating” during the ordeal.

Another described her breasts being groped by Dr Milky, with the court hearing she said “it was like patting a dog”.

Mr Pirrie said all the victims reported the alleged crimes to either the police or their partner straight away.

“They have all given evidence that the line between examination and sexual contact had well and truly been crossed by Dr Milky,” he said.

Dr Shafiul Milky allegedly assaulted six patients.

The court was also told the accused had a tendency to use his position as a general practitioner to touch or for penetration “that is sexual and not warranted for a legitimate medical purposes” against female patients.

Mr Pirrie said the defence case was that of “complete denial” and that Dr Milky had been “arrogant” and “controlling” even while being interviewed by police.

In beginning his closing address, defence lawyer Theo Kassimatis said some of the claims from the prosecution “were absurd” and questioned the reliability of some of the evidence.

He argued the jury had to ask the question why some of the alleged victims continued to see Dr Milky after the alleged offences took place, and whether there was “any doubt into their credibility”.

The court was told one of the alleged digital rape victims continued to see the doctor “13 more times” following the alleged offence.

“She wouldn’t have gone back 13 times if she believed she was in fact raped,” Mr Kassimatis said.

He told the jury “you may never be asked to perform a more important decision in your life”.

“You are the most powerful forensic tool available to the law,” he said.

“You will decide the fate of a complete stranger.

“This is serious business.

“There is nothing funny about what these women allege, and there is nothing funny about the predicament Dr Milky finds himself in.”

The trial before Judge Felicity Hampel continues on Wednesday.

Originally published as Prosecution rests in Shafiul Milky rape trial, with jury told witness accounts “credible and reliable”