Paul Labana charged with sexually touching stranger at Wollongong train station

A former Wollongong Hospital doctor has been charged with sexually touching a stranger at a train station, while allegedly wearing his scrubs and a stethoscope.

A former Wollongong Hospital doctor was wearing his scrubs and a stethoscope when he alleged sexual touching of a stranger at Wollongong train station. Picture: Google Maps

A former Wollongong Hospital doctor turned medical writer has been refused bail after he allegedly sexually touched a stranger at a train station.

Paul Surrinder Singh Labana appeared at Wollongong Local Court on Friday charged with sexually touching another person without consent and intimidation.

Police allege Labana was wearing his scrubs and a stethoscope during the alleged sexual touching of a man at Wollongong train station, with parts of the alleged incident captured on CCTV.

The court heard the man was “going about his own business” when Labana allegedly approached him and sexually touched him.

Police prosecutor Amelia Wall said the alleged facts of the incident were “alarming” with the man not known to Labana, who she described as “extremely persistent”.

Paul Labana was refused bail in Wollongong Local Court on Friday. Picture: Steven Bell

Ms Wall said the man was “upset and disturbed” by what allegedly occurred.

She added that police had also positively identified Labana as the man allegedly involved in the incident.

Defence lawyer Emel Ozer conceded the allegations were serious, adding Labana had a limited criminal history and was a “well respected” member of the community having previously been a doctor before becoming a medical writer.

She said if Labana was convicted of the offences then he may not serve a sentence of time custody.

Ms Ozer said Labana could report to police, live in the Wollongong area, and abide by a curfew noting the alleged incident occurred in the early hours of the morning.

She noted Labana regularly used the train as his main mode of transport or rode his bike to help the environment, adding he also volunteered at charity Lifeline.

Registrar Tina McKenna said Labana had been sentenced for a domestic violence assault on his ex-partner where he punched her several times in the face, as well as an assault on a security guard at Ryan’s Hotel in Thirroul.

She did not accept Labana was “well respected” given his criminal history of violence inflicted on other people and noted he was on a community correction order at the time of the alleged incident.

Ms McKenna said the prosecution case appeared strong and refused to grant Labana bail.

The case was adjourned to January 9 at Wollongong Local Court.