Sunshine Coast doctor in Maroochydore court for rape charges

Torture, choking and rape were among fresh charges pressed against a Sunshine Coast doctor as police continue to investigate a possible third alleged victim. Read the allegations:

A Sunshine Coast doctor and alleged rapist has been slapped with another string of charges as police continue to investigate a possible third alleged victim.

The 43-year-old medical practitioner didn’t appear via video link in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday when four domestic violence charges including two counts of rape, one of choking and torture were mentioned.

The offences were alleged to have occurred between June 1, 2017 and February 18, 2021 on the Sunshine Coast.

The man was also charged with one count of rape between February 1, 2021 and February 28, 2021 on the Gold Coast.

The alleged offences, relating to an alleged second victim, brought the doctor’s total number of charges to 10.

The father applied for bail in the Maroochydore court for five counts of rape that allegedly occurred against a separate victim on March 13, 2022.

During the ultimately postponed bail application police prosecutor Rebecca Lambert said the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly contacted one of his complainants through a dating website.

She told him she was intending on waiting for marriage and did not want a sexual relationship with him.

The court heard the complainant had said “no”, but the doctor allegedly “forced” the sexual activities onto her.

“This is a matter where the defendant (if found guilty) is likely to spend a significant amount of time in jail,” Sergeant Lambert said.

Solicitor Patrick Meehan told the court his client had two young children.

“He has no criminal history … he is likely to have his employment suspended,” Mr Meehan said.

Mr Meehan said consent was at the heart of the case and the defendant could be at risk of spending too much time in custody if he wasn’t granted bail.

Magistrate Rod Madsen ultimately adjourned the bail application on Monday to March 24 so police could finalise their investigations.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke told the court on Tuesday a third complainant had come forward in Victoria.

“Police are investigating a third alleged victim,” he said.

Sergeant Nitschke said no charges had been laid in relation to the third complainant.

Duty Lawyer and town agent for Trianon Law Leisel Rogan asked for the matters to be adjourned to the same date as the man’s original charges.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin adjourned the matters to March 24.