source : the age
A Perth paediatrician accused of child sex assault has been hit with dozens more charges after police identified nine more alleged victims.
More charges against Dr Chia Liang Saw were foreshadowed at a hearing in Perth Magistrates Court last week, where his application for bail was delayed as prosecutors told the court the case against him was still unfolding.
Saw is scheduled to reappear before the same court on Friday for his bail application to be heard again.
However, early in the morning, WA Police confirmed another nine alleged victims had been identified, with a total of 31 additional charges – including seven counts of indecent dealing with a child under 13 years old – laid against the doctor.
“As part of an extensive investigation that commenced in May, detectives have identified a further nine victims who were allegedly sexually assaulted by the accused, who is a paediatrician,” a WA Police statement read.
Other new charges include seven counts of producing child exploitation material; six counts of indecent dealings with a child over 13 and under 16; five counts of indecently recording a child under 16 years; four counts of indecently recording a child under 13 years; one count of sexual penetration of a child over 13 and under 16; and intent to procure a person believed to be under 16 years for sexual activity.
Saw, 41, was already facing one count of persistent sexual conduct with a child between 2023 and 2026, and one count of possessing child exploitation material.
It was alleged the victim at the centre of those charges was one of his patients, and the incident occurred at his workplace.
Saw was a consultant and regularly worked at practices and hospitals across a number of Perth suburbs including Nedlands and Midland.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency suspended Saw’s registration after he was arrested, barring him from practicing in Australia pending the outcome of his criminal charges.
