Police have allegedly found thousands of videos and photos of child abuse material on a married doctor’s 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.
Following extensive inquiries strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a property in Albury – on the NSW-Victoria border – and arrested Couch at about 6am on Tuesday.
Following his arrest, police escorted Couch to Albury police station where he was charged with several offences.
His charges include possess child abuse material, use carriage etc to access child abuse material and intentionally import prohibited tier two goods.
Couch appeared at Albury Local Court on Tuesday and was refused bail.
He will remain behind bars on remand and is set to face court again 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
Footage of his arrest showed police with the young doctor who was dressed in grey track pants, a black puffer jacket and ugg boots.
Officers escorted Couch out of the home and up the driveway where he was put into an awaiting police van.
Couch worked at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney’s south west before relocating to the Gold Coast earlier this year.
Police said there was no evidence 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 sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Investigations under Strike Force Trawler continue.
