Private paramedic Peter Thistlethwaite charged with sexual touching

A private paramedic has been granted bail after he allegedly removed a patient’s underwear when she fell ill at a Sydney train station last month. Two women now allege Peter Thistlethwaites sexually touched them while treating them when they were ill.

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A private paramedic contracted by Sydney Trains has strongly denied removing a female patient’s underwear after she complained of abdominal pain at a Sydney train station.

Peter Thistlethwaite, 38, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual touching after two separate women - one complaining of chest pains, the other of stomach cramps - told police he allegedly sexually touched them while performing medical examinations as they fell ill at Redfern train station on July 26.

Peter Thistlewaite leaving court in Sutherland.

Peter Thistlewaite leaving court in Sutherland with his mother.

Thistlethwaite allegedly removed one of the women’s underwear during the examination, and police will also allege he called one of the women days later to ask her on a date.

However, his solicitor Timothy Scott said Thistlethwaite strongly denied the allegations.

“It’s conceded that particularly the touching of the groin or removal of underwear is very serious, but it’s strongly contested,” Mr Scott told Sutherland Local Court Magistrate Les Mabbutt.

“He also strongly contests having any flirty or otherwise suggestive conversations.”

Police will allege the physical contact was not consistent with practical treatment for the symptoms either woman was complaining of that day.

However, Mr Scott said both of Thistlethwaite’s patients had complained of abdominal pain and touching their stomach area was part of normal diagnostic procedures.

Lawyer Timothy Scott said Thistlethwaite had acted appropriately.

“The police have said the CCTV is damning - that is not the case,” Mr Scott told the court.

“Not to give evidence from the bar table, but we have spoken to a GP who said the procedures were entirely appropriate - the stomach touching was necessary to assess for a number of conditions which could have included a burst appendix, ovarian cysts, or ectopic pregnancy, which could have caused either hardness or tenderness in the stomach.”

Thistlethwaite, who became a qualified paramedic in 2017, has been dismissed by his employer.

Mr Mabbutt granted bail and said Thistlethwaite was unlikely to offend in the manner alleged as he was no longer employed.

“The women say they were touched in areas that had nothing to do with the medical examination,” Mr Mabbutt told the court.

“The women felt that was not what was required and accordingly, shortly after, went and spoke to police officers.”

Redfern train station from above. Picture: Transport for NSW

Mr Mabbutt said Thistlethwaite would no longer be able to use a position of authority to commit any offences as alleged.

The Jannali man will have to keep residing with his parents report daily to Sutherland police, refrain from any medical or hospital-related volunteering or employment, and stay at least 5km away from Wolli Creek and Shellharbour for his alleged victims’ protection.

A Sydney Trains spokesman said they held their staff, contractors and companies to the highest standards.

“As soon as we were made aware of this matter, we contacted the company that provides paramedic services to remove the person from the network while police investigated the allegations,” the spokesman said.

“As this is a police investigation, we are unable to comment further.”

Thistlethwaite has never been employed by NSW Ambulance.

He will return to court later this month.

Officers have allegedly seized a mobile phone, electronic equipment and clothing from the home as part of the investigation.

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