Physical therapist cleared of sex assault in massage

A physical therapist was cleared yesterday on a charge of sexually assaulting a woman by allegedly rubbing her breasts for 15 minutes during deep tissue massage for a lower-back injury.

Seán Blake, aged 56, with an address at The Mews, Rushbrooke, Cobh, Co Cork, denied ever touching the woman’s breasts in any way during the therapy session at the Regus building, City Gate, Mahon, two years ago.

A jury agreed with him and yesterday told Judge Patrick Meghan at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that they found Mr Blake not guilty of sexual assault. The defendant wept at the verdict.