A Sydney doctor is set to contest four serious allegations in court after being charged with sexually assaulting four patients at a medical centre over several decades. New South Wales Police established Strike Force Midshipman in April following multiple reports to the force.
Police allege that the general practitioner, identified by ABC News as Dr Andrew Small, sexually assaulted four patients between November 1988 and March 2026. Following inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at a medical practice in Waterloo, an inner-southern suburb of Sydney, at approximately 6:15 am on Thursday.
The 70-year-old man was arrested and taken to Mascot Police Station. He was charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under the authority of the offender, one count of aggravated indecent assault of a victim under authority, and one count of sexual assault knowing no consent was given.
The GP was held in custody overnight before appearing via video link at a bail hearing on Friday morning. Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Manning told the court they had a 'strong case', ABC News reports. 'These are offences committed by a person in a position of trust, a doctor working on patients,' he told the court.
The court heard from Sergeant Manning that one alleged victim claimed she had visited the medical practice due to stomach pain and was sexually assaulted. 'I would submit that falls well outside of what ordinary practice would be,' he told the court. The prosecutor also noted that a fifth woman had contacted police after the doctor was arrested, alleging offences dating back to 2006, when she was a teenager.
The GP's defence lawyer, Troy Edwards, told the court his client did not have a criminal history and will fight the charges. Judge Daniel Covington said the offences are 'serious and concerning'. 'I can't describe the case as weak but certainly not an overwhelming case at this stage,' he said. The GP was granted bail on condition that he does not continue practising medicine and does not enter the medical centre.
