A sports masseur from Bradford has been jailed for 12 months for sexually assaulting two women clients during massage sessions.

Peter May, 62, was a well-respected sports massage therapist who worked from his home in Back Lane, Thornton, Bradford, when he abused their trust.

He was convicted after a trial at Bradford Crown Court in December of sexually assaulting two female clients.

Now of Pickles Lane, Horton Bank Top, Bradford, he had lost his home, his career and his income, his barrister Catherine Silverton said.

During the trial, prosecutor Stephen Wood QC said that May was well-known in the sports world. He was self-employed and worked from a designated treatment room at his home.

The two women had stripped to their underwear when May pulled down their knickers and touched them inappropriately.

Mr Wood today read out victim personal statements from the women.

One said she had respected and trusted May and felt sick when she thought about his ulterior motives.

The second said she feared she would be disbelieved and it was nice to be wrong about that.

“He should not be allowed to practice as a professional again,” she stated.

Miss Silverton said May’s wife was in court to support him.

He had lost his home, his career and his income.

Miss Silverton urged the judge not to impose an immediate prison sentence. The Covid pandemic meant that inmates were spending at least 23 hours a day locked in their cells and social visits were barred.

May was of previous good character and had glowing character references.

The impact of the conviction had severely affected his mental health and he had spent time as an in-patient at a psychiatric hospital.

But Judge Jonathan Gibson said the offences were a very serious breach of trust.

May was an experienced masseur who had been highly regarded. As far as his clients were concerned he was excellent and trustworthy.

He had pulled down the women’s underwear and touched them inappropriately in a clear breach of trust that had affected them both very significantly.

Judge Gibson said they were assaulted when they were particularly vulnerable.

May’s reputation had led them to trust him. Numerous testimonials spoke of his positive good character.

His poor mental health had been well documented and he had effectively lost his liveli-hood.

Judge Gibson imposed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. It prohibits May from treating females when working as a sports massage therapist unless they are aware of his convictions and the circumstances of them.

May must also sign on the sex offender register for ten years.