A massage therapist charged with sexually assaulting two female clients allegedly recorded up to 200 other women at a beachside clinic in Adelaide, a court has heard. The 35-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday facing seven sexual offences against two alleged victims.
Prosecutors opposed bail, citing the substantial number of potential victims. Police have taken statements from 13 additional women, with 10 alleging indecent assault and three of those also involving indecent filming. The court heard that police found 721 indecent images on the man's phone, relating to between 150 and 200 women, many of whom were face-down on the massage table in various stages of undress.
Prosecutor Brevet Sergeant Nicholas Fatchen described the offending as 'extremely widespread and obviously extremely serious.' However, defense lawyer Marie Shaw QC argued that most allegations were for indecent filming, a less serious charge, and that her client had no prior convictions, was not a flight risk, and could be electronically tracked if granted home detention bail.
Magistrate Paul Foley denied bail, stating the charges were too serious. The man faces three rape charges, which would attract a prison sentence if convicted. The prosecutor expressed concerns the man might flee to his home country as he is not an Australian citizen, and noted the risk of encountering victims in the community due to the high number of alleged victims.
