A judge has found an Airdrie massage therapist guilty of sexual assault.
Charges were laid against Upendra Bhatt, 61, co-owner of Blossoms Massage and Spa, in December of 2018.
A 21-year-old woman complained to the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada following a session with Bhatt in September 2018.
The NHPC suspended Bhatt's membership and forwarded the woman's complaint to Airdrie RCMP.
Read more: Airdrie massage therapist charged with sexual assault
Following news of Bhatt's arrest, more victims came forward and he was charged with additional counts in relation to incidents alleged to have occurred between 2015 and 2017.
Read more: Airdrie RCMP lay additional charges against local massage therapist
Bhatt denied any wrongdoing and went on trial for the charges stemming from the September 2018 incident this past Fall.
In a decision handed down last week, the presiding judge found Bhatt massaged the victim's breasts and buttocks without her consent.
The judge ruled that the touching was intentional and was a clear violation of the woman's sexual integrity.
No word yet on when Bhatt will be sentenced.
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Charges were laid against Upendra Bhatt, 61, co-owner of Blossoms Massage and Spa, in December of 2018.
A 21-year-old woman complained to the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada following a session with Bhatt in September 2018.
The NHPC suspended Bhatt's membership and forwarded the woman's complaint to Airdrie RCMP.
Read more: Airdrie massage therapist charged with sexual assault
Following news of Bhatt's arrest, more victims came forward and he was charged with additional counts in relation to incidents alleged to have occurred between 2015 and 2017.
Read more: Airdrie RCMP lay additional charges against local massage therapist
Bhatt denied any wrongdoing and went on trial for the charges stemming from the September 2018 incident this past Fall.
In a decision handed down last week, the presiding judge found Bhatt massaged the victim's breasts and buttocks without her consent.
The judge ruled that the touching was intentional and was a clear violation of the woman's sexual integrity.
No word yet on when Bhatt will be sentenced.
Comments? Questions? Story ideas? Email [email protected]