A masseur who repeatedly assaulted two women during so-called treatments has been jailed for three years.
Mal Weeraratne, 52, of Hammersmith, west London, was found guilty of sexually assaulting the clients at Blackfriars Crown Court

One victim's 60-minute massage at his salon actually lasted two-and-a-half hours and included simulated sex.

Weeraratne claimed massage could make women emotional and the two women had imagined the attacks.

You had not the slightest regard for their privacy, nor for their sense of modesty, nor for the standards which we as a society share as a mark of respect for each other

Judge Gregory Stone

Passing sentence, Judge Gregory Stone told Weeraratne his crimes were made worse because he was in a position of trust.

He said: "You had a responsibility for these two ladies, who were in your care.

"Once they were lying on your massage table they were defenceless and you were in a position of power. That aggravates the situation.

"You had not the slightest regard for their privacy, nor for their sense of modesty, nor for the standards which we as a society share as a mark of respect for each other."

Two other women who the defendant had been cleared of assaulting five years ago also gave evidence describing their ordeals.

After Weeraratne's conviction, the court was told how he had been jailed for two years in 1996 for living off the earnings of prostitutes.

Hammersmith and Fulham Police are investigating two separate allegations of indecent assault believed to have occurred at a beauty salon on the Fulham Road since January 2004.

The first occurred in early January. The victim a 30-year-old woman had booked a Swedish massage at the salon.

She was met by a male masseur who led her into the massage room. During the massage an alleged indecent assault took place comprising of excessive contact inappropriate to a massage. The victim did not immediately report the incident, as she believed it was a professional massage and felt embarrassed. It was only after talking to friends that she decided to report the matter to Police in late January.

A further allegation was made to police in early February by a 34-year-old woman who alleged she too was indecently assaulted by a male at the same location in January.

Detective Constable James Townly of the CID at Fulham said:"The salon is situated on the Fulham Road and appears to be an extremely professional venue. These women have placed an element of trust in the salon and it's staff and appear to have been indecently assaulted. I appeal to anyone who has suffered an experience of a similar nature to contact police urgently."

Anyone who wishes to speak to police in confidence can call CID at Fulham on 0208-246-2945.

A 51-year-old man was arrested yesterday morning in connection with the investigation. He has been bailed to return to a West London Police station next month.