A doctor left two women feeling confused and uncomfortable after he allegedly used his fingers to sexually assault them during their consultations, a court has been told.
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Parkes doctor Khin Thet, 65, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of aggravated sexual assault which allegedly involved two female patients.
Crown prosecutor Mark Davies told the District Court at Dubbo that the first of the alleged assaults occurred in 2013, but was not reported until the woman saw a news report about another patient of Dr Thet's who came forward with allegations in 2018.
Mr Davies detailed the first woman's alleged experience in 2013, which left her "confused and shocked".
The woman had been suffering from bladder infections, and explained the symptoms to Dr Thet.
The court heard Dr Thet told her to get up on the bed when he began pressing on her belly, before asking her to remove her pants, which she refused.
Mr Davies said Dr Thet allegedly pulled down her pants and inappropriately touched in and around her genitalia, before performing a swab, which the Crown allege was done without proper medical foundations.
"I suspect you'll hear evidence from Crown experts that this was completely medically unnecessary," Mr Davies said.
Detailing the second woman's alleged experience, Mr Davies said Dr Thet began demonstrating affection for her in 2017.
"He started to go beyond the boundaries of appropriate conduct set out by the Australian Medical Association," Mr Davies said.
The Crown told the court Dr Thet had given the woman his personal mobile number to arrange consultations, offered to pay for medication to help lose weight and gave her money to buy Christmas presents for her children.
During one consultation for her hips, Dr Thet had allegedly noticed the woman's pubic grooming and began commenting on it and touching it, the court heard.
In 2018, during an appointment for an ankle issue and treatment for psoriasis on her calves, the court heard Dr Thet told her to get on the bed, touched her around the belly and tried to touch under her bra, commenting on her breasts.
Mr Davies told the court Dr Thet allegedly then pulled down the woman's pants and touched her genitals.
The court heard the woman who was "confused and uncomfortable" later received a text message from Dr Thet saying "thanks".
Mr Davies argued it was the Crown's case that Dr Thet carried out the alleged assaults for his own sexual gratification.
Dr Thet's defence barrister Matthew Johnston outlined the issues that would be in dispute through the trial during his opening address to the District Court.
Mr Johnston said there would be a factual dispute to what the two victims said occurred, and dispute the argument that Dr Thet carried out the alleged assaults for sexual gratification.
"What's in dispute is that any conduct he did to those patients were for a non-medical purpose," Mr Johnston said.
"I anticipate an issue in this case will be what was told to police and if that's changed," he said.
"[Dr Thet] will critically deny it was a sexual assault or for sexual gratification."
Mr Johnston also told the court the defence will highlight Dr Thet had phone contact with a number of other patients as well.
He said the defence would also argue what medical protocols and if any were breached at all.
The trial continues.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
