Ryan Cho, a 29-year-old junior doctor in Australia, has pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to 13 charges, including producing intimate images, installing devices, and stalking. Cho admitted to concealing a phone to film staff in hospital toilets and showers across three major Melbourne medical facilities, according to court documents reported by 1News.
The Scope of the Charges and Hospital Security
The criminal case involves offences committed at the Austin Hospital, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. According to police, Cho utilized a mesh bag to hide his phone within staff-only facilities. The footage, captured throughout 2024 and 2025, was organized by the defendant into folders specific to each hospital.
Beyond the hospital recordings, Cho admitted to stalking a single victim between October 2020 and September 2021, a period during which he allegedly collected thousands of images. While police initially filed 910 charges against the doctor, a plea deal resulted in the consolidation of these into 13 rolled-up offences. His medical registration remains suspended, and he is currently prohibited from entering any hospital except in the event of a medical emergency.
Legal Proceedings and Future Court Appearances
Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz confirmed that the evidence presented was sufficient to support a conviction and ordered the matter moved to the Victorian County Court. The case is scheduled for a three-day plea hearing in November. During this time, victims are expected to provide impact statements to the court.
Cho was initially remanded in custody in July 2025 but secured bail in the Supreme Court the following month. He remains under strict conditions. His attempts to evade media scrutiny have been a recurring feature of his court appearances; he has reportedly remained inside the court precinct for hours after proceedings conclude, often utilizing masks and caps to hide his identity from cameras.
Trends in Hospital Safety and Digital Privacy
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Ryan Cho still practice medicine in Australia? No. His medical registration has been suspended, and he is prohibited from practicing anywhere in the country.
- What is the next step in the legal process? The case has been uplifted to the Victorian County Court, where a three-day plea hearing is scheduled for November.
- How many charges was Cho originally facing? Police laid 910 charges, which were later consolidated into 13 rolled-up offences as part of a plea deal.
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