Warning: This text accommodates descriptions of sexual assault
A Victorian masseur who raped a pregnant girl throughout a therapeutic massage and sexually assaulted two different purchasers will spend at the very least 4 years in jail.
Dad-of-two Ashraf Asla, 48, pleaded responsible to 2 expenses of sexual assault and one cost of rape in September 2022, simply earlier than a jury was empaneled in his trial.
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These expenses relate to 3 victims, with the offenses occurring from 2018 to 2020.
He additionally pleaded responsible to at least one cost of possessing a drug of dependence after police who raided his house discovered the drug temazepam in his possession.
The three intercourse offenses occurred when Asla was working as a masseur at a enterprise in a city in Victoria’s northeast, Victorian County Court Decide Daniel Holding mentioned in sentencing Asla earlier this week.
Within the winter months of 2018, Asla sexually touched a girl as he was giving her a therapeutic massage for sore shoulders.
Within the second incident, in March 2019, a unique girl was receiving a full physique therapeutic massage from Asla when he sexually assaulted her.
A couple of yr later, on March 19, 2020, a 3rd sufferer, a pregnant girl, requested for a deep tissue therapeutic massage on her decrease again.
Initially, the therapeutic massage appeared regular. However, because it progressed and his fingers moved in direction of her groin, “the complainant felt more and more uncomfortable. She felt ‘frozen’ and she or he couldn’t breathe,” Holding mentioned.
At that time, she requested if she might put her underwear again on and Asla advised her it might be simpler if she did not.
He continued to therapeutic massage the lady earlier than raping her, pausing at one level to retrieve some sizzling stones.
“The complainant, after the offending, returned house and broke down sobbing in entrance of her husband and toddler son,” Holding mentioned.
The matter was reported to the police that evening.
Asla was arrested and his house raided days in a while March 30.
In his interview with the police that day, he denied sexually touching the third sufferer and mentioned it was her concept to get utterly undressed.
‘Gross breach of belief’
In sentencing, Holding referred to sufferer impression statements from all three victims.
“There isn’t any doubt your offending has had a traumatic impact on the psychological well-being of the complainants,” he mentioned.
One of many victims mentioned she didn’t initially report Asla out of concern of not being believed, whereas one other mentioned the offense had shaken her core beliefs and affected her personal sense of identification, Holding mentioned.
The third sufferer mentioned the offending severely compromised the enjoyment in giving start to her daughter, the court docket heard.
“As a substitute of the enjoyment she anticipated, she describes being in a ‘darkish place mentally’ and that she couldn’t address the fixed state of melancholy,” Holding mentioned.
“‘The offender has ruined my life and left me neurotic and emotionally and socially inept’,” Holding mentioned, studying an excerpt of the sufferer’s impression assertion.
A psychologist’s report submitted in sentencing outlined Asla’s troubled upbringing and psychological well being points, together with post-traumatic stress dysfunction, melancholy and nervousness.
Holding mentioned he accepted Asla expressed some regret, however it was restricted.
“You solely pleaded responsible after the energy of the crown case was made clear to you,” he mentioned.
Holding added Asla took benefit of the purchasers’ vulnerability in an effort to gratify his personal needs.
“Your conduct was a gross breach of belief,” he mentioned.
“These complainants all understandably positioned themselves in a susceptible place on the understanding that you’d present a service that might alleviate their bodily illnesses.
“They agreed to pay you for this service.
“You used the guise of offering the service to molest two of them sexually and rape one in all them.”
Asla had no earlier felony historical past however time behind bars will deter him from reoffending, Holding mentioned.
The 48-year-old was sentenced to a complete time period of 5 years and 11 months, with a non-parole interval of 4 years.
The 428 days he has already spent behind bars will rely as time already served.
Should you or somebody you realize is impacted by sexual assault, home or household violence, name 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or go to 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, name 000.
Should you want assist in a disaster, name Lifeline on 13 11 14. For additional details about melancholy contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or discuss to your GP, native well being skilled or somebody you belief.
