GP Matthew Thomas Kelly pleads guilty to sexually abusing 15yo patient on Gold Coast
A successful doctor and father of three who sexually abused a 15-year-old girl on the Gold Coast has learned his fate in court.
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A successful doctor and father of three who sexually abused a 15-year-old patient on the Gold Coast laughed as his victim left the room, a court has been told.
Dr Matthew Thomas Kelly, 48, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to one count of indecent treatment of a child under 16.
The court was told Kelly sexually abused the 15-year-old girl in June, 2020, touching her bottom and genitalia over her clothing and putting his hand up her shirt.
It was heard he stopped when the girl pushed his hand away, and laughed as she left the room.
The then-45-year-old apologised to his victim that day, but denied it when he was later confronted by her father.
Kelly was not formally charged until August last year.
Magistrate Sarah Thompson described the abuse as “persistent, unwanted, and brazen” in handing down her sentence on Thursday.
Ms Thompson said she hoped the Beaudesert-based doctor had read the teenager’s victim impact statement, which spoke to the lasting effect in several areas of her life.
“What is clear from that document is that the complainant trusted you … you were her general practitioner and you breached that trust,” Ms Thompson said.
“The document indicates that there has been significant impact on her relationships generally, on her mental health, and at the time it had significant impact on her schooling.”
Ms Thompson said Kelly had built a highly successful career in the medical industry, first qualifying as a nurse before going on to become a general practitioner.
His defence counsel told the court in earlier proceedings that Kelly faced “vilification” after being named in a Courier Mail story published weeks after he was charged.
Ms Thompson sentenced Kelly to nine months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months, taking into account his lack of prior or subsequent criminal history and low risk of reoffending.
Kelly was also ordered to pay $2000 in compensation to his victim.
The doctor covered his face with his jacket as he left the courthouse alongside lawyer Bettina Webb, who said Kelly had apologised directly to his victim.
He refused to answer reporters’ questions.
Kelly must notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency of the outcome of his case.
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