A Sydney-based doctor has told a jury that allegations he sexually or indecently assaulted 16 female patients are incorrect, untrue and "absolutely wrong".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While under cross-examination at Downing Centre District Court on Thursday, general practitioner Sharif Fattah also dismissed the Crown's suggestion his medical records from the time "don't fairly and accurately reflect" everything that happened.
"I strongly disagree," Fattah said to prosecutor Tony McCarthy.
"There is no reason for me to believe that my notes are inaccurate."
The 62-year-old, who was a GP in New Zealand for 20 years, has pleaded not guilty to 30 charges of sexual and indecent assault allegedly committed for his own sexual gratification over six months from September 2016.
Fattah started working at a health centre in Sydney earlier that year.
The female complainants, who were all patients at the medical practice, are aged between 19 and 40.
The women presented to Fattah for specialist referrals and to treat conditions including rashes, bites, mole checks, thrush, influenza, chest infections, back and pelvic pain, and vitamin deficiencies.
The doctor firmly denied allegations put to him by Mr McCarthy on Thursday including that prior to one alleged sexual assault he turned a patient onto her back on the examination bed then pulled her pants and underwear down to her ankles.
"Absolutely not," Fattah said.
The prosecutor said: "I suggest to you that you touched (the particular complainant) for your own sexual gratification that day. That's the case, isn't it doctor?"
"Absolutely not," Fattah replied.
The GP agreed that he had performed an anal examination on the woman while she was laying on the bed, facing away from him and on her knees, but denied any other examination or alleged assault happened next.
He said the patient had a history of haemorrhoids and an anal examination was conducted due to concerns about blood in her stool.
He denied the woman's anal examination had been suggested or proposed by him.
He said the alleged sexual assault that followed on from it was not recorded in his notes because it didn't occur.
"She came back to my desk, sat on the chair and we had a discussion," Fattah told the court.
His barrister, Greg Scragg, has previously told the jury Fattah's only intention when he examined and/or touched each of the women during the course of their medical consultations was for a "proper medical purpose".
The trial, now in its fifth week, continues before Judge Sharon Harris.
Australian Associated Press
