A Perth paediatrician accused of using hidden cameras to record himself abusing children in his clinic is now facing more than 50 charges involving multiple alleged victims.
Warning: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.
It is alleged Chia Liang Saw, 41, installed cameras in his Nedlands and Midland consulting rooms, where he treated children with behavioural issues.
Ten alleged victims had now been identified, mainly young female patients aged between 12 and 15, the Perth Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday.
The police prosecutor told the court the additional alleged victims were a 10-year-old girl who police allege was abused in a home, and a child allegedly exploited online in 2022.
The prosecutor said police interviewed another child on the weekend, and further charges were likely to be laid in the coming days.
He said investigations were ongoing and there were possibly seven additional alleged victims.
It’s also alleged Mr Saw admitted deleting incriminating material.
Dr Saw had allegedly stalked victims via social media, the court was told, and had used the Sugar Daddy dating website.
Sugar dating is typically a type of relationship where young women trade their time for the financial sponsorship of an older man.
Name ‘mud’: defence lawyer
The 41-year-old was being held in a secure supervised unit at Hakea Prison and had expressed “shame and distress”, the prosecutor said.
Chia Liang Saw allegedly installed hidden cameras in his examination room. (Supplied)
He has been suspended from practising.
Dr Saw was originally charged last month with persistent sexual conduct with a child under 16 and possessing child exploitation material, but now faces 53 offences.
Defence lawyer Alex Smith said the most recent 20 charges — using electronic communication to procure a child to engage in sexual activity — involved one person over 20 days.
Lawyer Alex Smith is arguing for Chia Liang Saw to be released on bail. (ABC News: David Weber)
He told the court Dr Saw’s explanation for the clinic recordings was that they were made in an effort to protect himself from allegations of “untoward behaviour”.
Mr Smith said while his client’s name was now “mud”, he did not have a criminal record, it was possible for him to be bailed to home detention, and the Malaysian-Australian dual citizen would surrender his passport.
He told the court more than 20 conditions could be imposed on Dr Saw, who had been in Australia for 10 years and owned a number of properties.
The magistrate said while there would be an inclination to “look at these charges and be horrified by them”, Dr Saw had not yet been convicted.
The bail hearing was adjourned until Friday.
