Sickening alleged discovery on younger Australian physician’s cell phone
A married doctor has allegedly been sprung with thousands of videos and photos of child abuse material on his phone.
Dr Gregory John Couch’s phone was seized at Melbourne Airport by Australian Border Force officers in May.
The 37-year-old’s phone was referred to State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad, where detectives allegedly found more than 5,000 files – both videos and photos – of child abuse material.
Detectives executed a search warrant at a property in Albury, on the NSW-Victoria border, and arrested Couch at about 6am on Tuesday.
Couch was taken to Albury police station where he was charged with several offences including: possessing child abuse material, using a carriage service to access child abuse material, and intentionally importing prohibited tier two goods.
Couch appeared at Albury court on Tuesday and was refused bail.
He will remain on remand before his next court appearance on August 9.
Dr Gregory John Couch (pictured) phone was seized at Melbourne Airport by Australian Border Force officers in May
Police allege the married 37-year-old had more than 5,000 files – both videos and photos – of child abuse material on his phone
Couch was arrested at a property in Albury – a suburb located on the NSW-Victoria border – on Tuesday
Couch worked at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney‘s southwest before relocating to the Gold Coast earlier this year.
Police said there were no allegations to suggest Couch offended against any of his patients.
The arrest was part of Strike Force Trawler – an ongoing investigation by State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad Child Exploitation Internet Unit.
The strike force investigates the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Investigations under Strike Force Trawler continue.
