Former St God of John Geelong Hospital nurse Peng ‘Chris’ Yang faces court on rape charges

A former Geelong nurse has appeared in court over allegations that he raped two men at a major local hospital.

A FORMER Geelong nurse has appeared in court over allegations that he raped two men at a major local hospital.

Peng “Chris” Yang, 34, faced Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday after being charged by police earlier this year.

The Carlton man was employed at St John of God Hospital in Geelong when it is alleged he committed the rapes in 2019.

Mr Yang, who was stood down from the hospital when the allegations surfaced, is currently suspended from practising as a nurse.

He is charged with six offences in total that involve two counts of rape and four sexual assaults.

It is understood each of the charges relate to the same two complainants.

Peng ‘Chris’ Yang previously worked as a nurse at St John of God Geelong Hospital.

Court documents released to the media show the alleged incidents took place on two separate dates within the space of a month.

Mr Yang, who appeared at Friday’s hearing remotely, is yet to enter a plea to the charges.

He did not speak during the brief hearing as his lawyer, Brett Barratt, made an application to cross-examine nine witnesses, including the alleged victims.

Magistrate Simon Guthrie granted the application, which was unopposed by prosecutors, and scheduled the case for a two-day committal hearing next year.

Mr Yang has been on summons since July when police from Geelong’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team laid charges.

Online records from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency reveal Mr Yang registered as a nurse in December 2017 after graduating from Deakin University.

His registration is now listed as suspended and he is not allowed to practise in Australia.

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for St John of God Geelong Hospital said Mr Yang was immediately stood down from his role when it became aware of the allegations in late 2019.

The spokesperson said the hospital had co-operated fully with the police investigation.

“We treat matters such as this with the utmost seriousness and act to ensure the safety of our patients at all times,” they said.

Mr Yang will return to court in May next year.

Originally published as Former St God of John Geelong Hospital nurse Peng ‘Chris’ Yang faces court on rape charges