A young doctor accused of taking intimate photographs of patients at a major regional hospital has been ordered to prepare for jail.
Nicholas Chia Wei Chu, 27, of Randwick in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, faces two counts of producing child abuse material and 14 counts of intentionally recording intimate images without consent.
Eleven of the charges relate to allegations he took photographs of patients’ genitals while working at Orange Health Service, a hospital in central west New South Wales, between January 2022 and February 2023.
The remaining allegations involve incidents outside hospital settings in Orange and Randwick, according to court documents.
There are 15 known alleged victims, none of whom can be legally identified.
During a brief appearance at Orange Local Court on Thursday afternoon, prosecutor Shaun Towers said the charges against Chu were ready to be resolved.
Defense attorneys have been in negotiations with prosecutors for months.
Nicholas Chia Wei Chu, 27 (pictured), from Randwick in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, faces 14 counts of intentionally recording intimate images of patients without consent.
Chu, who has been suspended from practising law, has not entered a plea but is due to be sentenced in the New South Wales District Court on August 15.
Mr. Towers said an application to revoke Chu’s bail would be filed on that date.
Magistrate David Day reminded Chu that he is on conditional bail and cannot approach international departure points.
The charges are serious enough to warrant extradition proceedings if he leaves Australia, Day said.
He also warned that Chu’s bail could be revoked within 15 days.
“Mr. Chu can put his house in order,” the judge said.
Chu (pictured) has not yet entered a plea but is due to be sentenced in the New South Wales District Court on August 15.
Chu was ordered to appear in court in person for his next appearance.
“He will have to appear in court, he cannot be taken into custody from a lawyer’s office,” Day said.
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency records show Chu studied at the University of New South Wales and graduated in 2021.
He first registered as a medical practitioner in December of that year and his main place of practice was Orange.
Chu remains on bail with strict conditions, including reporting to Sydney police daily.
