A physiotherapy assistant has been arrested twice in two days after detectives charged him with sexual touching against elderly women in his care at a Central Coast hospital.
Detectives arrested physiotherapy assistant Callum Howarth, 25, at Gosford Hospital on Tuesday afternoon after police received reports that an 84-year-old woman had allegedly been sexually touched by an employee.
Howarth was charged with aggravated sexual touching and released on bail by a local court judge on Wednesday morning. But he had not even left the police station before detectives had received a second report he had sexually touched a second patient in her 80s, and he was rearrested.
Howarth was charged with a second count of aggravated sexual touching and once more hauled before the bail court on Thursday morning.
“The complainant is of a similar age, and this is very concerning,” a police prosecutor told the court.
“(Howarth) has taken advantage of this complainant, and there is a clear pattern of behaviour that has emerged through the investigation.”
His parents dialled in to hear his lawyer tell the court Howarth had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2020 car crash and re-learned all his motor skills.
Social media accounts show Howarth backflipping off the Rip Bridge near his home in the Central Coast’s south before the accident.
“So stoked to be able to have amazing experiences like this. Extremely grateful for my family, friends, and everyone that contributed to my recovery,” Howarth wrote on a skateboarding video in September 2023, tagging John Hunter Hospital and the Hunter’s brain injury service.
He also fundraises for cancer.
But Strike Force Malakor, formed to investigate the allegations against Howarth, allege his abuse of the women was “aggravated” because he was in a position of trust, and they have cognitive conditions.
His solicitor said the alleged offending “appears opportunistic”, and he should be bailed to continue his recovery under his parents’ care.
Acting Judge Sharon Wills granted Howarth bail on Thursday to live with his parents, and barred him from working as a physiotherapist assistant.
The case will return to court next week.
Malakor’s investigations are continuing with help from NSW Health.
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