A masseur from São Bento do Sul on the northern plateau of Santa Catarina was sentenced to six years in prison and paid compensation for moral damages after raping a woman.

A masseur was convicted of raping a woman in Sao Bento do Sul – Photo: PM/Disclosure

According to the Ministry of Emergencies, the crime occurred in February 2021 at the place of residence of the man, where he provided therapeutic massage services. The victim went there accompanied by family members, but when she entered the treatment room alone, the masseuse demanded that she only wear underwear, under the pretext of an examination.

Then he inserted his fingers into the woman’s intimate part, saying that he was examining a cyst that was in her uterus. To try and stop him, the victim pushed him, but he held her back and grabbed her arm, sexually assaulting her for about ten minutes. He then embraced the victim while she was still half-naked, against her will, and said that he would pray for her.

According to prosecutor Thiago Alceu Narta, there are three more police reports from different victims condemning similar crimes. “He took advantage of his job as a massage therapist to practice obscene acts against the will of the victims,” he said.

At the request of the deputy, the man was sentenced for rape to six years of semi-open regime and the payment of 10,000 reais to the victim as compensation for non-pecuniary damage. He can appeal, but not at large, as he is already in pre-trial detention.