Massage Therapist Touches Woman On Vagina During Massage At The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman And Tells Her “Don’t Make A Big Deal About This” After She Became Upset About The Indecent Assault
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Alric Lindsay
On December 6, 2024, Justice Richards heard matters for sentencing for an indecent assault by Rahul Manhukumar, a former massage therapist at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. Manhukumar could face 5 to 9 years for the incident.
Background
According to counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Manhukumar is an Indian national who was previously employed as a massage therapist at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.
An American doctor who arrived in the Cayman Islands on November 5, 2023, for a work-related conference requested a massage with an exceptionally skilled masseuse while staying with her family at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.
Manhukumar, who was in Grand Cayman for only four months at the time, was assigned to the woman as a massage therapist.
The massage started with the woman lying on her back, and Manhukumar massaged her right leg before moving to her left leg.
Reportedly, the woman requested Manhukumar to reduce the pressure on her left leg.
What happened next was that Manhukumar put his hand under the sheet and placed it on her vagina.
The woman recoiled from the shock and asked Manhukumar to stop. She also told him to leave.
Manhukumar went to wash his hands and reportedly told the woman: “Don’t make a big deal about this.”
When the woman exited the room, Manhukumar was reportedly waiting by the door and pursued her.
Reportedly, the woman searched for help in the main lobby area but couldn’t find anyone.
The police were later called, and Manhukumar was arrested.
Manhukumar denied the allegations in a police interview.
Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, DPP counsel said that the incident was an abuse of trust and Category 2 Harm was involved since Manhukumar touched the woman’s genitalia.
In the circumstances, DPP counsel suggested a starting point of 6 years in prison, with a sentencing range of 5 to 9 years.
DPP counsel added that there were aggravating factors as Manhukumar pursued the woman throughout the hotel, which meant he was taking steps to prevent her from making a report.
DPP counsel requested that the Grand Court implement a sexual prevention order prohibiting Manhukumar from having any contact with the woman, who has now returned to the United States. In addition, the DPP counsel asked that the order include a provision that Manhukumar must not work as a massage therapist in the Cayman Islands or work with females here.
Arguing on Manhukumar’s behalf, attorney John Furniss noted that Manhukumar had no previous convictions in the Cayman Islands or India before this incident. He added that Manhukumar was also someone of good character until the incident occurred. Reportedly, Manhukumar also completed 200 massages without complaint before the incident.
Furnis drew the Grand Court’s attention to the Khan case, which Furnis said related to a chiropractor who reportedly groomed his clients and took photographs of them. Furniss suggested that Manhukumar’s case was different because there was a single incident of touching rather than multiple incidents noted in the Khan case. In the circumstances, Furniss suggested that the Grand Court adopt the English Sentencing Guidelines for single touching, in which case Manhukumar may be subject to a sentencing starting point of two years.
Furniss suggested there is no need to look at the sentencing starting point recommended by DPP counsel because “it is much higher than it needs to be in this incident.”
Furniss also highlighted that Manhukumar has a family in India relying on him for financial assistance. However, Manhukumar has been unable to work or secure a work permit since the incident.
In the meantime, Manhukumar’s passport was surrendered, and he has been subject to curfew from 6 pm to 6 am.
Judge’s decision
After hearing from the lawyers, Justice Richards said that Manhukumar would be remanded into custody until December 9, when the sentence is expected to be handed down.
It was also noted that reporting restrictions were put in place so that the name of the assaulted woman must not be published.
