A trainee surgeon accused of secretly filming hundreds of medical colleagues in hospital restrooms has been released on bail. The junior doctor, identified as Ryan Cho, 28, faces nearly 500 charges related to 4,500 intimate videos he allegedly recorded at three Melbourne hospitals since 2021.
During a hearing at the Victoria state Supreme Court, Justice James Elliott granted Cho’s release on the condition that he live with his parents, who have moved from Singapore to Melbourne to support him. His parents were required to post a A$50,000 ($32,000) surety. Cho, who became an Australian permanent resident in April, surrendered his Singaporean passport.
The prosecution had argued against bail, stating that the sheer number of charges provided a strong incentive for Cho to flee the country. They also noted that if convicted and sentenced to 12 months or more in prison, he would face deportation. However, the judge noted that Cho had no criminal connections and had surrendered his passport, making him an unlikely flight risk.
Police allege that Cho used mobile phones to record intimate videos of at least 460 women in staff restrooms at Austin Hospital, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The investigation began in July after a phone was discovered recording inside a mesh bag in an Austin Hospital restroom. Police documents allege that cybercrime analysis of one of Cho’s devices revealed over 10,000 videos and images, with the content organized into folders by hospital, ward, and even the names of the alleged victims.
Cho’s lawyer, Julian McMahon, rejected the prosecution’s concerns about potential witness interference, arguing that given the hundreds of potential witnesses, such an action would be futile. The defense also suggested that the alleged offending may stem from “complex psychiatric and psychological issues” and that Cho’s medical registration has been suspended, preventing him from practicing. Cho has not yet entered a plea to the charges.
