Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, commander of the NSW Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad, said 113 women had been interviewed during the extremely complex investigation.

Superintendent Kerlatec commended “the strength of the victims involved in what has been a very traumatic experience.”

Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Rick Thompson told the court it was “a disturbing case” and that Mr [Graeme Reeves] was a flight risk.

A FORMER doctor was yesterday charged with genital mutilation and sexual assault for a string of offences allegedly committed against women when he worked as an obstetrician and gynaecologist in the NSW town of Bega.

Graeme Reeves, 58, was arrested at his home in Baulkham Hills, Sydney, yesterday morning and later charged with 17 sexual and indecent assault charges, including genital mutilation.

He was refused bail in Parramatta Local Court.

The offences involved 10 former patients, but police have interviewed more than 100 women and witnesses since the formation of Strike Force Tarella in February.

The failure of authorities to act on numerous complaints about his alleged conduct has sparked calls for the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission to be scrapped.

The charges include excising a woman’s clitoris in August 2002.

Several other charges accused Mr Reeves of having sexual intercourse with a number of female patients, knowing that the women were not consenting, and while he was their doctor.

He was also accused of touching and fondling female patients.

Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, commander of the NSW Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad, said 113 women had been interviewed during the extremely complex investigation.

Superintendent Kerlatec said a large number of medical records had been seized and a medical expert had been hired to assist.

He said one of the difficulties investigators had faced was determining the difference between medical malpractice and alleged criminal conduct.

Superintendent Kerlatec commended “the strength of the victims involved in what has been a very traumatic experience.”

Alleged victims yesterday said they felt relief and vindication at news of the arrest. One woman, who claimed she received an unnecessary hysterectomy, said the hardest part of her ordeal was coming forward. She alleged her vagina was reshaped and sewn up so tightly she couldn’t have sex.

At a post-op consultation Mr Reeves is alleged to have told her not to undress so he could take off her underpants himself.

She said she was inspired to speak out by the courage of other victims who took their concerns to NSW Parliament House.

“I was worried that he could get away with it and do it to other women in the future.”

After spending several hours at Parramatta police station yesterday, Mr Reeves was transferred to the cells at Sydney West Trial Courts. His wife sat silently in a corner of the court room.

Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Rick Thompson told the court it was “a disturbing case” and that Mr Reeves was a flight risk.

Lawyer Greg Murray, representing Mr Reeves, argued the offences had occurred some years ago, in the context of his client’s medical practice, which he had ceased in 2004.

Magistrate James Garbett described the prosecution case as strong and the allegations very serious. He said if convicted Mr Reeves would suffer a certain custodial sentence. He said he had to take into account the welfare of the community.

He refused bail and Mr Reeves is to appear in Sydney’s Central Local Court on November 5 via video link from jail.

Medical Error Action Group spokeswoman Lorraine Long called for the Health Care Complaints Commission to be axed.

Credit: John Stapleton, Angus Hohenboken, Additional reporting: Joe Kelly