A pediatrician accused of sexually abusing 10 children has been arrested and faces 53 charges, including allegations of sexually penetrating a child. Chia Liang Saw, 41, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday, where his bail application was adjourned for a home detention report.
The court heard that Saw was allegedly lured into the offenses through communications with a woman who identified herself as a 'vigilante' and 'pedophile hunter.' This individual, who is not a police officer, reportedly used a social media app, described as the Sugar Daddy website, to pose as a child and engage in conversations with Saw. The information gathered was then passed to investigators.
Saw was initially charged in late May with persistent sexual conduct with a child under 16 and possessing child exploitation material. In mid-June, an additional 31 charges were laid, including seven counts each of indecent dealing with a child under 13 years and producing child exploitation material. On Tuesday, 20 new charges were added related to the communications with the 'vigilante.'
The alleged victims include patients, with eight girls aged 12 to 15 reportedly abused while under his care for ADHD. A 10-year-old girl was allegedly abused at his family home, and a 13-year-old girl was allegedly exploited online. Details of the alleged abuse were presented in court, including concerning emails Saw purportedly sent to three children. In one email, he allegedly offered to buy a child a ukulele, and in another, he claimed to have spotted a child outside their school.
It was also revealed that Saw allegedly created an email account for a child patient to communicate directly with them. Magistrate Matthew Walton commented on the startling nature of a pediatrician contacting a child patient directly, stating that a conviction would likely result in a substantial prison sentence. The court was informed that some emails were sent and responded to while a child was in class.
Saw's lawyer, Alex Smith, conceded that Saw's conduct had crossed professional boundaries, describing the alleged offenses as "ugly and distasteful." Smith also stated that Saw had communicated with one patient turned complainant because she was "extremely troubled" and he was attempting to establish rapport. Previously, Smith indicated that Saw denied the persistent sexual conduct allegations and claimed the recordings were made to protect himself against accusations.
Saw has not yet entered a plea and remains in custody. He is scheduled to reappear in court on July 10 for the continuation of his bail application. The pediatrician's medical registration has been suspended.