Massage therapist charged with indecent assault - Stuff.co.nz

[massage]

Keith Dobson


A former military officer turned massage therapist who has worked with UK and Kiwi defence sports teams has appeared in court on two charges of indecent assault.

Keith Ashley Dobson, 52, appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Wednesday morning, before community magistrate Ngaire Mascelle.

Mascelle remanded him on bail to next appear on March 23, with conditions that he surrender his passport to the police by 4pm on Wednesday, and also not to operate as a masseur.

Dobson runs a practice called Body Therapies in Rototuna. His business' Facebook page describes him as an "international sports and holistic therapist ... [with] 18 year's experience running clinics, treating sports teams and teaching adults".

Another website, Treatme.co.nz, features a biography on Dobson that states he had served in both the Royal Air Force and the New Zealand Army as a senior non-commissioned officer and has provided sports therapy support to RAF rugby and hockey teams and to New Zealand Defence Force touch, hockey, basketball and dragon boat teams.

According to the website he has run therapy treatment clinics in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and New Zealand and has diplomas in sports therapy, remedial massage, reflexology, Swedish massage, aromatherapy, Indian head massage, and qualifications as an adult teacher, assessor, and verifier.

The alleged offending is said to have happened between September 1 last year, and February 3 this year.

The charge has a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.

Dobson was represented in court by duty lawyer Mark Curran, who said Dobson was in the process of obtaining his own counsel.

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- Stuff


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