GP Joseph Chirawu banned from Coles Belmont following prison release

A Geelong doctor jailed for sex crimes has been hit with a stay away order by an aggrieved former patient less than six months after his release from prison, it can be revealed.

Joseph Chirawu outside a Geelong court during his sexual assault trial. He was released from prison last year after serving four months.

A Geelong doctor jailed for sex crimes has been hit with a stay away order by an aggrieved former patient less than six months after his release from prison, it can be revealed.

Former Geelong City Medical Clinic GP, Joseph Chirawu, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court this week where a personal safety intervention order (IVO) was granted preventing him from attending a Belmont Village supermarket where a previous female client is employed.

This masthead can reveal the woman had accused Chirawu of sexual assault in August 2020 before the case was dismissed during a five-day trial in 2022.

Chirawu was sent to prison in March 2024 for the sexual assault and indecent assault of a separate female patient that occurred in 2012 and 2021 at the Ryrie St practice.

He lost an appeal against the conviction and four month jail term before eventually serving his sentence behind bars.

He was released in July last year.

The court was told Chirawu has attended the Coles Belmont store on numerous occasions over the past few months despite being aware of the presence of the former patient – who accused him in court of inappropriately touching her during an appointment in 2020.

He was found not guilty of that alleged crime.

Joesph Chirawu has fronted court. Picture: Supplied

Magistrate Ann McGarvie granted the IVO on Monday at the request of Victoria Police, ordering the former GP not to go within 5m of the High St supermarket.

Police believe he ignored advice from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to avoid the store after receiving complaints about him from the woman.

He is currently suspended and barred from practising medicine in Australia but is expected to appeal the ban at an upcoming tribunal.

An AHPRA spokesman did not answer specific questions or confirm a hearing date for Chirawu when contacted by the Addy.

“We can’t comment on ongoing investigations or matters relating to specific practitioners beyond information that is already on the public record, such as the register of practitioners,” he said.

It comes after his sexual assault victim said she was “disgusted” to learn he may be granted a medical licence despite his crimes.

The 45-year-old, who did not want to be named, wanted to raise public awareness “that you can be a sexual predator but still able to practise as a doctor” after his release last year.

She is being called to give evidence at the hearing.

Originally published as GP Joseph Chirawu banned from Coles Belmont following prison release