Doctor Harry Joseph Davis, 55, has rape and sexual assault charges dropped at eleventh hour
One charge each of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault against a Gold Coast GP - banned from contact with female patients - have been dropped. See why
Police & Courts
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A Gold Coast GP banned from having any contact with female patients by the regulator has had a rape and sexual assault charge against him dropped.
Doctor Harold (Harry) Joseph Davis was listed to stand trial in Southport District Court on Monday accused of one count each of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. It was scheduled to be heard at 9:30am but was delayed for about an hour and a half.
Proceedings commenced at 11am when police prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher requested the indictment be returned and advised the court the crown “would no longer proceed”. Ms Gallagher asked that the matter be discharged. No reason was provided.
Judge Jackson accepted the submission and dismissed the case.
The charges against Dr Davis dated back to April 2021 at Burleigh Heads. At the time he was working as a general practitioner with Sundoctors Skin Cancer Clinic, based in Burleigh. Four weeks after the allegations surfaced, the Office of the Health Ombudsman placed conditions on Dr Davis’ registration that he not have contact with female patients. He was required to keep a record of every appointment made and give a copy to the Health Ombudsman each month. He must also report the locations of the practices he plans to work from, and obtain approval to work there.
The restrictions were imposed indefinitely unless removed by the Office of the Health Ombudsman or the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) sets the decision aside. The Ombudsman’s office has been contacted for comment.
According to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APRA), Dr Smith is still working in Burleigh Heads. His registration as a medical practitioner is due to expire in September 2024. Dr Davis has been registered as a doctor in Australia since 1993, after he completed his Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Queensland in 1992.
Dr Davis’ lawyer Craig Eberhardt declined to comment when asked if his client would apply to set aside the regulator ban.
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