A suspended Wollongong medical practitioner previously convicted for drunkenly assaulting a female security guard at a Thirroul hotel has been hit with fresh charges, a court has heard.
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Paul Labana made a bid for release at Wollongong Local Court from the police holding cells on Friday, charged with stalking or intimidation and two counts of sexually touching another person without consent.
Police will allege Labana was wearing his "scrubs and a stethoscope" during the alleged sexual touching of a man at Wollongong train station, with parts of the alleged incident captured on CCTV.
Registrar Tina McKenna told the court the man was "going about his business" when he was approached by Labana.
The man was left "disturbed" after the alleged incident, the court heard.
In opposing bail, police prosecutor Sergeant Amelia Wall said there was a "very strong case" against Labana given CCTV footage allegedly captured parts of the incident.
In arguing for Labana's release, defence lawyer Emel Ozer said her client is a respected member of the community as he previously worked as an ED doctor at Wollongong Hospital, noting he had a limited criminal history.
Labana previously told the court he stepped down from his role as an ED doctor after he assaulted a security guard at Ryan's Hotel in Thirroul in February last year. He said he now works as a medical writer and Lifeline volunteer.
According to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Labana is currently suspended from practising in Australia.
Ms Ozer proposed Labana was willing to comply with bail conditions including a curfew and to not go near the train station.
However, Registrar Tina McKenna was unmoved, noting it was a "relatively strong" prosecution case.
She did not accept Labana was not a person of good character given his prior convictions, including a domestic violence-related incident where he punched a woman "several times" in the face.
Ms McKenna was not convinced any bail conditions would mitigate concerns.
Bail was denied and the matter will return to Wollongong Local Court on January 9.
Read more Illawarra court and crime stories here.
Grace Crivellaro
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
