source : the age
A Perth paediatrician on bail over dozens of child sex abuse allegations will return to court on Thursday after being hit with another 15 charges.
Dr Chia Liang Saw, 41, was initially arrested and charged in May, with police alleging he engaged in persistent sexual conduct with a child and possessed child exploitation material.
Saw’s request for bail was repeatedly delayed, with prosecutors adding further charges as more alleged victims were identified, before he was eventually released under strict conditions last month.
Now, the paediatrician faces a total of 72 charges relating to 18 victims, with the new allegations including six counts of indecent dealing with a child under 13 years old, three counts of indecently recording a child under 13 years old, and three counts of sexual penetration of a child under 13 years old.
In granting Saw bail last month, Magistrate Matthew Walton said the case was complex, and that it was highly likely there would be further charges.
However, Walton added that the fundamental thread of the Australian legal system was that a person was considered innocent until proven guilty.
“This is a very extensive list of bail conditions that apply to you,” he told Saw.
“If it is found you did breach bail it is likely you will return to custody for an extensive period.”
