Psychologist ‘fondled woman’s groin in depression treatment’
Reginald Kenworthy, 77, touched the woman’s chest and massaged her groin with his thumbs while treating her for depression, Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told.
The woman, identified only as Mrs A for legal reasons, wept as she told how Kenworthy had hypnotised her before attempting to “talk” her into an orgasm during consultations at Tameside General Hospital in 1984.
She described being vulnerable following the death of her father and other close family members, adding she felt uncomfortable by the treatment, but did not realise it was inappropriate until some years later.
Under cross examination by Charles Garside QC it emerged Mrs A had been addicted to tranquillisers and had visited a mixed sauna for “raw sex.”
She had also spent a week in hospital following a drugs overdose and once reported a “supernatural experience” to police in which her quilt was pulled back while she was sleeping and hands stroked her back.
Quoting a statement made by the victim Mr Garside said: “When he was hypnotising me he moved his hands from his torso to my groin and he used his thumbs to rub my groin and massage my pubic area.
“On one occasion he told you you were going to have an orgasm.”
Asked why she did not initially complain, she said: “Because he was in a position of trust. He abused that trust and that damaged my future and trust in future health professionals.
Mr Garside suggested the sauna session involved some “fairly raw sexual activity.”
Mrs A agreed it did but added: “It wasn’t huge raw sex, it disturbed me.”
The court heard on Thursday Kenworthy used an electric shock machine with electrodes attached to breasts, bottoms and genitals to treat three patients.
Kenworthy, of Stocks Lane, Stalybridge denies six counts of indecent assault.
Miss A had made several complaints about medical staff. The trial continues.
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