Dr Richard Sackelariou: Plastic surgeon charged with 17 child abuse charges, remains registered

A veteran plastic surgeon facing 17 charges — including alleged child sex offences — remains a registered doctor with state and federal agencies while he sits in a Sydney remand centre awaiting his next day in court.

Specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Richard Paris Sackelariou

A prominent plastic surgeon remains registered for surgeries across the country while facing 17 charges and an apprehended violence order.

Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Richard Sackelariou appeared at Waverley Local Court on Friday where he was refused bail after he was charged with 17 offences including using a carriage services to procure someone under the age of 16 for sexual activity, cause child older than 14 and younger than 18 to do act of child prostitution, intentionally sexually touch child older than 10 and younger than 16 and have sexual intercourse with child older than ten and younger than 14.

Following the charges, the 68-year-old man’s Double Bay surgery was temporarily shut on Monday while a representative of the Melbourne-based practice, Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery said the “highly sought-after surgeon” no longer worked at the clinic.
“He previously worked here,” she said. “He doesn’t work here anymore.”

On Monday, a representative of Dr Sackelariou’s Double Bay practice, Sydney Plastic Surgeons, told a reporter to “go away” when inquiries were made.

Sackelariou’s second floor practice at Chapel Court Double Bay.

A staff member responding to client requests said the Sydney Plastic Surgeons practice was “not organising appointments at the moment”, however, encouraged the client to leave their number to be contacted when bookings resume.

During his first appearance, Waverley Local Court heard Dr Sackelariou allegedly travelled to the Newcastle region several times to pay multiple girls between the ages of 13 and 17 to undertake sexual acts on him.

Richard Sackelariou locked offices of Double Bay

The court heard Sackelariou allegedly used social media application Snapchat, where he contacted the children under the alias “Alexandre Oret” — allegedly grooming them, while promising payment for their meetings.

Police also alleged the prominent doctor travelled to Newcastle where he booked hotel rooms to perform sexual acts on the complainants.

During an application for bail, Sackelariou’s lawyer argued any potential threat to the community by his client could be mitigated through strict bail conditions including that he reside at one address, not be allowed to visit Newcastle and only have one mobile phone without access to messaging apps.

The lawyer also argued Dr Sackelariou had a “responsibility” to his clients booked in for surgery.

Specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Richard Paris Sackelariou, appeared at Waverley Local Court on Friday afternoon, after he was hit with child sex charges.

“The applicant does not pose an unacceptable risk,” Mr O’Brien said. “He needs to be free both to support his family and to provide medical services.”

However, Magistrate Hudson rejected the argument outright, telling the court the surety was likely “a week’s worth of cash” to the surgeon.

The magistrate said Sackelariou had the capacity to leave the jurisdiction and now had a motive too, while also alleging there was an incentive for Sackelariou to “pay off” the complainants while on bail.

The closure of the Double Bay business, which Dr Sackelariou is also a director and secretary, comes as the 44-year veteran surgeon’s registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency remains intact.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said the investigation into the Vaucluse man began last month.

“Detectives attached to the Hunter Child Abuse Squad (CAS) commenced an investigation involving allegations four teenage girls – aged between 13 and 15-years-old – had been sexually touched and groomed by a 68-year-old man,” she said.

“Following extensive investigations, detectives attended a Vaucluse home about 5.45am on Friday where they arrested a 68-year-old man.”

A NSW Health Professional Councils Authority (Medical Council of NSW) spokeswoman said: “(the council) does not have the legal power to discipline or deregister a NSW medical practitioner”.

“Investigations and decisions relating to potential disciplinary action in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal are the responsibility of the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission.

“Only the tribunal has the power to make an order to deregister a doctor in NSW”.

According to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the plastic surgeon — who first registered to the agency in 1979 — has never been issued with any conditions, undertakings or reprimands.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency was contacted for comment in relation to the doctor’s registration in Victoria.

However, a NSW Health Care Complaints Commission spokeswoman said the decision as to whether or not to take immediate action “rests with the Medical Council of NSW”.

“Any immediate action decision by the Council is unrelated to bail applications,” the spokeswoman said.

“It would be based on the consideration of risk to public health and safely and the public interest.

“Any decision of the Council regarding suspension or other action applies while the Commission is assessing (and if so determined, formally investigating) the issues.”