Chaudhry Ali Shahbaz: Perth phlebotomist pleads not guilty to sex offences at Willetton pathology clinic

A Perth phlebotomist accused of sexually penetrating a patient without consent at a pathology clinic has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chaudhry Ali Shahbaz, 27, was charged with two counts of sexual penetration after an investigation by sex assault squad detectives into his time as a phlebotomist at a Willetton pathology clinic between July 2021 and September this year. Police will allege Mr Shahbaz advised a patient at the clinic she would be required to undertake an intimate swab in August this year. The woman — who was there for a series of blood tests — had not been requested to undergo the intimate swab testing and the accused was not authorised to conduct such testing. Mr Shahbaz, from Dianella, appeared calm during a brief appearance at Armadale Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to both charges. “(It is alleged) In Willetton you sexually penetrated a woman without consent,” Magistrate Brian Mahon said. “Do you understand that charge?” Mr Shahbaz’s bail was extended and his next court appearance was set for December. Outside court, Mr Shahbaz ran from waiting media and did not respond to questions about his charges, before leaving in a rideshare vehicle.