Osteopath 'sexually assaulted' pensioner in her own home

13 April 2012

An osteopath sexually assaulted a pensioner twice as he treated her in her own home, a court heard this week.

Julian Midda, of Eastcliffe, Portishead, north Somerset, is alleged to have touched the complainant inappropriately while her husband waited in another room.

Following the alleged sexual assaults, the complainant said Midda showed her a picture of his penis that he had saved on his mobile phone. Midda denies both counts of sexual assault.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the 40-year-old defendant had treated the alleged victim for several years at a clinic in Cardiff because of back problems.

When her husband also sought the services of Midda, it was decided he would visit them at their home in the Barry area of south Wales for the sessions.

On April 19 last year, the court heard Midda arranged to leave his dog with the complainant while he went on a family holiday to Euro Disney.

Upon his return five days later, Midda agreed to treat the complainant and her husband for free rather than charge the usual £60 fee to return the favour for looking after his pet.

Peter Davies, prosecuting, said: "The case presented to you by the prosecution is in the course of providing treatment on that evening, Mr Midda overstepped the boundaries of professional propriety."

The jury heard that after performing some body manipulation on the complainant, Midda gave a body massage which involved the removal of her top and bra.

Mr Davies said it was shortly after this that he sexually assaulted her.

"The victim thought it had happened inadvertently, but then it happened again," said Mr Davies.

Mr Davies added: "After the treatment, Mr Midda said 'I shouldn't show you this' but he produced a mobile telephone.

"What he produced to her on the screen of the mobile phone was a photograph of a male erect penis."

After Midda left her house, the complainant contacted the police.

During police interview, Midda denied being sexually attracted to the alleged victim and denied any impropriety in his touching of her.

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