RAPE suspect Kevin Brown will have to wait until next month to see if he can still practise medicine if he is ever released from custody, writes Gareth Finighan.

The California-based physician ¿ son of Premier Ewart Brown ¿ appeared in a Los Angeles court on arraignment yesterday to plead not guilty to a string of rape and sexual molestation charges.

But a bid by state medical authorities to have Brown's licence to practise medicine revoked has been adjourned until September 4.

During yesterday's hearing, two separate cases against Brown (pictured) were consolidated following a request by prosecutors. The 37 year old now faces a total of 23 felony counts ¿ including the sexual molestation of both a 15-year-old girl and an undercover Los Angeles Police Department detective. The charges were brought after detectives took testimony from eight witnesses.

A further eight victims are currently being interviewed while four other women are expected to provide witness statements to officers probing the case. Deputy District Attorney Marie Wise said she anticipates that more charges will be brought once the additional alleged victims have been processed. If found guilty Brown could face up to 27 years in jail.

The alleged assaults occurred between November 6, 2006, and May 31, 2008. Most of the alleged assaults took place on women who attended Brown's clinic as patients, although one charge relates to an alleged attack at a patient's home.

Brown was first arrested on July 8 following a year-long undercover sting operation.

Although initially released on $500,000 bond, he was picked up again just days later after prosecutors filed a slew of additional sex charges against him. He is now behind bars and must provide $4 million bail to secure his release.

Brown will appear in court again on September 4 when a medical board hearing is expected to take place.

A preliminary hearing is also scheduled for September 9.