Male Massage Therapist Jailed

24 July 2012, 06:00

A male massage therapist who sexually assaulted a 24 year old woman while giving her a full Thai body massage has been jailed for 18 months.

Gaurav Brinda, 27, touched the woman's breasts and buttocks after locking her inside the massage and beauty therapy salon.

Brinda appeared for sentence at Luton crown court where he had earlier been convicted by a jury at the end of a trial of sexual assault on the young woman.

The offence took place on October 20 last year at Relax Therapy and Beauty centre in Dunstable Road, Luton.

At the time the woman owner of the business was in Thailand on a holiday having placed Brinda, a student who worked there part time, in charge of running the place.

The business was offering a voucher scheme for a massage as a way of drumming up business and a £9 voucher could be used to obtain a fully body massage normally costing £30.

The victim booked the massage over the internet for 6.30pm and had a voucher for a full Thai body massage.

She told the court when she got there it was closed with a note on the door saying Brinda who lives in Avondale Road, Luton, had popped out.

The victim said when he arrived he let her in and locked the door

The jury heard he told her undress down to her bra and knickers and he left her while he warmed the oil.

She said he requested she remove her bra and as the massage progressed he fondled her breasts and bottom and pubic area

The woman described the massage as more like "stroking and caressing."

Indian born Brinda , who came to the UK two years ago to study at the University of Bedfordshire, claimed he had concentrated on her neck and shoulders after she had told him she had back pains.

He said as she lay on her stomach for the massage, she had a towel over the lower part of her body and, having applied the oil to her body, gave her a "medium pressure" massage.

He denied touching her improperly.

Passing sentence, Judge Michael Baker QC told him:

"Your massage turned into a private grope, not only of her breasts and buttocks but her pubic area as well."

He went on:

"You conducted yourself unprofessionally and it was a gross breach of trust."