Dr Edward Chen: Ashfield, Ling Nan masseuse took secret pictures
An investigation was launched after a patient heard the click of a phone camera as she lay on a masseuse’s table in her underwear. When police searched the masseuse, a doctor, they unearthed a number of disturbing photos and videos.
Inner West
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A doctor who covertly took pictures of his half-naked patients told police “sometimes I want to enjoy myself”.
Officers were called to investigate after inner west masseuse Dr Edward Chen was caught taking a photo of a client while she laid in her underwear on his table.
Police checked his phone only to find numerous pictures of the woman’s legs and other women they believe had been illegally snapped at the Ling Nan massage parlour in Ashfield.
When asked why he had the photos, Chen, who specialises in Chinese medicine, told police: “Sometimes I feel that their shape is nice … sometimes I want to enjoy myself.” He added that he wanted “to see it when you are feeling (bored) … I just look at them.”
The woman in question told police she heard the sound of a mobile phone taking a picture and saw a flash as she laid down on his table in her underwear.
She also told detectives she found it unusual that Chen, from Parramatta, had not covered her up when she stripped down.
Investigators located what they believed to be a network of masseuses sending and receiving pictures of their clients in compromising positions when Chen willingly handed them his phone.
But when officers saw the photos, Chen took the phone back and tried to delete them.
“He has multiple photographs of other unidentified women who he has had as clients. There are also videos he has of other masseurs filming their naked clients. It is believed the accused receives and shares these videos,” documents tendered to court state.
Chen was appearing in Burwood Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to recording an intimate image without permission.
A charge of possessing child abuse material was previously withdrawn by NSW Police.
His lawyers had argued in court that the image in question was just of the woman’s legs and did not depict any more intimate areas.
Court documents state Chen told officers during an interview he believed he had not harmed the woman as the images were just for his enjoyment.
The court also heard the Health Care Complaints Commission was looking into his conduct and that Chen was currently not allowed to practice.
Magistrate Lisa Stapleton convicted Chen and sentenced him to a two-year community corrections order.
Know more? Email: anton.rose@news.com.au