Sunshine Coast doctor in Maroochydore court for five rape charges

A Sunshine Coast doctor and father-of-two will remain in jail on remand after being charged with five counts of rape after allegedly targeting his victim on a dating website.

A Sunshine Coast doctor and father-of-two will spend time behind bars after he was charged with five counts of rape this week.

The 43-year-old medical practitioner appeared via video link in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday where he started to apply for bail before the application was adjourned.

Police prosecutor Rebecca Lambert said the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly contacted the complainant 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 is likely to spend a significant amount of time in jail,” Sergeant Lambert said.

Maroochydore Courthouse. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The Maroochydore father is yet to enter pleas to the five counts of rape that allegedly occurred on March 13, 2022.

Solicitor Patrick Meehan said his client had migrated to Australia 10 years ago and has 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.

Sergeant Lambert told the court there had been two additional complainants that have come forward with similar accusations, however more charges were yet to be laid.

In light of the additional complaints that police are investigating, Magistrate Rod Madsen adjourned the bail application until March 24, 2022.

The doctor will remain in custody until that date.