SEEDY DEVON MASSEUR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON WOMEN AT CLINIC
A sexual predator exploited his position, trust and power to sexually assault three women who came to him for massage treatment.Devon-based masseur Ian Nicholls worked as a therapist in Newton Abbot - a role which allowed him to get close to women.
He betrayed the trust of three women when they were alone in his clinic by subjecting them to terrifying assaults, a court heard.
He would then carry on as if nothing had happened - reminding the frightened woman that he knew where they lived.
Nicholls, 64, denied four charges of sexual assault but was convicted earlier this year by a jury after a trial at Exeter Crown Court.
He has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Judge David Evans said Nicholls was someone who seemed to the outside world to be an exemplary physio but his victims knew a hidden side to his character.
Nicholls was first arrested after a complaint from one of his victims in 2019 but the case was dropped.
The case was re-opened when similar stories of him groping and touching women sexually surfaced.
Following a statement from the clinic owner and manager, a further victim was identified.
A statement was taken in which the victim told of how she was gifted a voucher from a friend and that during a massage, Nicholls sexually assaulted her.
All of the victims spoke of how they froze during the abuse due to Nicholls’ large stature, and did not feel comfortable questioning his actions as they were alone in the building with him.
They all described almost identical incidents and feeling vulnerable, exposed and frightened.
One victim said in a statement that she endured a terrifying hour-long assault at his hands.
When she arrived for the appointment the clinic had closed and she was left alone with the much bigger and physically intimidating man.
"The entire environment was designed to trap me and make me vulnerable," she said.
She said she felt isolated and scared but put her faith in Nicholls as a professional.
"I felt trapped, powerless and completely at his mercy," she said.
The situation reminded her of murder victim Sarah Everard and she was 'utterly helpless'.
"He knew nobody would be around even if I screamed," she said.
When the woman left Nicholls told her he knew where she lived.
She felt this was a warning not to tell anybody.
Officer in the case, DC Tia Smallridge said afterwards: “We welcome the sentence given to Ian Nicholls, who abused his position of trust in the worst possible way.
“Each of the victims all detail being alone with the defendant and feeling too fearful to speak up following their experiences for fear of what could happen.
“It was only when they returned home that they made disclosures to their family, friends and the clinic manager who encouraged the complainants to come forward and report the matter to the police.
“The complainants were all women and not known to one another.
“I would like to thank the victims and witnesses in this case for their continued support in what has been a long and protracted investigation.
“We hope this sentence reassures victims of sexual offending that all allegations will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by our officers.”
