A Melbourne doctor is facing claims he sexually assaulted more than 40 patients across four decades. Con Kyriacou, 75, is facing dozens of counts of raping, indecently assaulting or sexually penetrating patients without their consent. The allegations date back to the 1970s and span four decades. The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court was told today 44 women had contacted police to make allegations against the now deregistered doctor. Mr Kyriacou was excused from today’s hearing but has previously faced court. On that occasion he smiled and laughed as he left court refusing to comment except to say: “the whole thing is stupid”. One of the women who has made a complaint against the doctor said today she was concerned with his attitude. “He was making a mockery of the claims, which I found personally offensive,” the woman said outside court. “His facial gestures and the things he was saying. He was being very dismissive and I found that personally offensive and upsetting. I found it really distressing.” The woman said she was empowered to make a police complaint after seeing news reports that the doctor had been charged. “I’d like to thank the three women who did came forward initially…I appreciate that they’ve done that, it does take courage to do it,” she said. Mr Kyriacou surrendered his registration to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in August last year and has since been unable to practise as a doctor. Despite this, AHPRA is pursuing in action against Mr Kyriacou before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, where it will allege he “engaged in professional misconduct”. VCAT has the power to suspend or cancel a practitioner’s registration. Following charges being laid an AHPRA spokeswoman said allegations were first raised about the conduct of Mr Kyriacou in February and August, 2016. Mr Kyriacou remains on bail until his next court appearance on June 14. His lawyer said today Mr Kyriacou would undergo neurological testing before that hearing.
