Tuesday 12 September 2017

Newcastle GP Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Assault of 46 Women

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Newcastle immunologist accused of sexually assaulting 46 women has pleaded not guilty.

Dr Jeremy Coleman's trial is underway in Newcastle District Court where he stands accused of assaulting the 46 women at his Watt Street clinic between 1989 and 2013, where he treats skin conditions and allergies.

Newcastle District Court has heard he conducted internal examinations with no medical purpose whatsoever - he would allegedly shift the conversations in his consultation room from allergies and immunology to sex.

His defence barrister Pauline David is disputing any examination was done without a proper medical purpose and claims every time he touched a patient it was solely medical purpose.

The court heard the 64-year-old often didn't wear gloves, watched his victims get undressed, touched them inappropriately and even encouraged some patients to get down on all fours and stick their bottoms in the air so he could inject nasal spray.

Coleman has seen 40,000 patients during his 40 year career and conducted 150,000 consultations.

The trial is expected to last six months.


Image abc.net.au