Masseur who assaulted clients during treatments walks free with suspended sentence

A masseur who forced women to remove their clothing before assaulting them during treatments at a luxury spa has avoided jail time.

Ibrahim Ali, 36, of Datchet, Berkshire, targeted clients who booked back and foot massages at the Nirvana Spa in Wokingham.

Ali made the women wear paper underwear, a type of disposable underwear.

He pulled the towel covering their bodies down lower than necessary and touched them inappropriately during treatments between November and December last year.

Ali was charged with four counts of sexual assault by touching following a police investigation in July and a further count in September. He pleaded guilty to all five.

Prosecutors have since revealed that two further victims came forward after Ali was convicted.

Ali was handed a two-year suspended sentence today, meaning he won’t spend time behind bars.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order – which places various restrictions, like traveling or internet access – for 10 years.

He must also complete 40 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 in compensation to each of the seven victims.

Lawyer Shilpa Shah, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘These women should have been able to feel safe and relaxed during their treatments.

‘Instead, Ibrahim Ali betrayed their trust, leaving them feeling distressed and violated.

‘The fact that all these women were unknown to each other yet recounted strikingly similar offending was a crucial part of our case – and its overall strength meant Ali had little choice but to plead guilty.

‘Ali’s actions were criminal and, as this case has shown, we will do all we can to secure justice for victims of sexual assault and abuse.’

Nirvana Spa has an annual membership cost of £2,000 and is the ‘UK’s leading pure water retreat, according to its website.

Guests over the years have included Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig and Brad Pitt.

A spokesperson previously said Ali is no longer employed by the spa.

‘The safety, trust, and well-being of our customers have always been, and will always remain, our highest priority,’ they added.