Disgraced Bondi doctor John Balafas has allegations of domestic violence dismissed
An eastern suburbs doctor was due to defend allegations of assaulting his wife in court on Thursday. Find out what happened.
Wentworth Courier
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A disgraced doctor from the eastern suburbs has had domestic violence charges related to his wife dismissed in court after she failed to attend a hearing.
John Balafas, 48, pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and contravening an apprehended domestic violence order.
The North Bondi resident was due to defend the allegations at Downing Centre Local Court hearing on Thursday.
Police allege Balafas’ wife was found in a car at Rose Bay on September 30 where she told a person her husband had hit her in the days prior.
Later in hospital she allegedly denied her husband had punched her when she spoke to a social worker and claimed her injury was an accident.
The woman refused to provide a statement to police.
In court, the police prosecutor acknowledged she had disclosed different versions of events but sought to adjourn the case for a new hearing date.
Balafas’ lawyer said the defence team were ready to proceed in the hearing and noted there was no indication the woman would appear on the next occasion.
“Keeping the proceedings alive is prejudicial to my client. We did come prepared,” he said.
The court also heard the woman provided a medical certificate dated February 20, and sent a letter where she said she was not willing to give evidence in the hearing and no longer wanted to participate in the proceedings.
The court also heard she was traumatised from giving evidence during unrelated court proceedings.
Magistrate John Arms refused to grant an adjournment noting the alleged assault was serious but determined it below the mid range.
He said there was no guarantee the complainant would attend court on the next hearing date.
Mr Arms formally withdrew both charges.
The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against Balafas, a general practitioner, before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
It was alleged Balafas engaged in inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature towards two female patients at Bondi Medical Centre in 2009.
In its decision of December 2021, the Tribunal determined Balafas was guilty of both unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct.
The Tribunal imposed interim conditions on Balafas’ registration preventing him from treating any female patients except in an emergency.
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