By Holly Thompson
A Perth dentist who allegedly met up with women through online dating sites and spiked their drinks before sexually assaulting them has been granted bail, after he was charged with a further 17 offences on Thursday.
Farzam Mehrabi, 31, a dentist and third-year medical student at Notre Dame University, has already appeared before court on March 25 to face four other similar charges.
Farzam Mehrabi, a dentist and third year medical student at Notre Dame, faces charges of drugging seven women and sexually assaulting six of them.Credit: WA Police/Supplied
Mehrabi has been accused of using drugs to stupefy six women between the ages of 19 and 21 and allegedly sexually assaulting five of them, four at his home in Shelley that he shares with his parents.
The sixth woman allegedly fell unconscious in the back of his car, but regained consciousness as Mehrabi was driving and jumped out of the car at a set of lights, reporting the incident to a transit guard at Bull Creek Train Station.
In court on Thursday the police prosecutor Evans said the case against Mehrabi was strong and thanked the media for reporting on his initial court date, as it had resulted in five new victims coming forward, with four so far pressing charges.
He said two of the women had sent texts to their friends during or after their dates, expressing their fears.
One text read: “I think I have been drugged,” and another stated “he forced himself on me.”
Evans said the CCTV that was running at Mehrabi’s parents house was switched off during the times the women were allegedly assaulted, and that one victim had recalled Mehrabi allegedly saying “you won’t remember any of this tomorrow” while he was assaulting her.
He also said that Mehrabi was “manipulative” and had convinced one woman he had not spiked her drink when she suspected something was not right.
Chewing gum belonging to one of the women was allegedly found under his bed.
Mehrabi allegedly did not use a condom and Evans said he had “no consideration for anything other than his own gratification.”
The seventh victim is expected to formally submit a statement and more charges will likely be added in the coming weeks.
Mehrabi’s lawyer Linda Black said the CCTV automatically turned off every night when another alarm system switched on and that this was not a deliberate act.
She also said he should be granted home detention bail and that if he was barred from accessing the internet or any electronic devices, there would be limited risk to the community.
Black said if the accused was not granted bail, he could remain in custody for two years before his trial was heard.
Magistrate Andrew Maughan said home detention bail would be granted, but he was not to leave the house at all without being in the company of one or both of his parents.
He was also given strict orders to stay 100 metres from any victim or the places they lived, worked or were educated and was required to provide a $50,000 bail undertaking and a $50,000 surety.
Mehrabi will be in breach of his bail if any electronic device is in his parents home, including any belonging to his parents.
He will remain in custody until electronic monitoring is set up and has been remanded to May 12.
Detectives have urged anyone with more information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperswa.com.au.
If you are or have been a victim of sexual abuse, or if you have information about someone being abused, contact police on 131 444.
Women who have concerns they have been a victim of an assault but who do not wish to speak to police can seek support from the Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828.