Top doctor charged with domestic violence offence

A senior Sunshine Coast doctor has been charged with domestic violence after allegedly trying to suffocate his wife.

Dr Piotr Swierkowski has been charged after allegedly trying to strangle his wife. Picture: Supplied

A leading Sunshine Coast doctor has been charged with a domestic violence offence after allegedly attempting to suffocate his wife.

Dr Piotr Swierkowski appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court this morning charged with choking, suffocation or strangulation in a domestic setting.

Duty lawyer Loren Fabian reportedly told the court her client denied the charge and claimed he covered his wife’s mouth, but not her nose, to stop her from screaming.

Mr Swierkowski has been the Executive Director of Medical Services at the Government-run Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service since 2009 and is regularly used as a spokesman for the group.

The Sunshine Coast Daily reported that Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist held Mr Swierkowski’s part-heard bail application over until tomorrow in light of submissions made by police.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant David Bradley opposed Dr Swierkowski’s bail application, citing evidence given by the doctor’s sister-in-law who allegedly told police there was a history of unreported domestic violence in the relationship.

Mr Stjernqvist said Mr Swierkowski’s representative needed more time to consider the prosecutor’s submissions.

The matter will continue before the court tomorrow.