By Alric Lindsay
Rahul Manhukumar, a former massage therapist at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman who indecently assaulted a Ritz-Carlton client during a massage by touching her genitalia, received 60 months (5 years) in prison today, December 9, 2024.
Delivering the sentence, Justice Richards said that the starting point was 6 years. Justice Richards reduced the sentence by 1 year due to Manhukumar having no previous convictions, being of good character before this incident, having a low risk of reoffending and having the stress of waiting for a year for proceedings to conclude.
While Manhukumar’s attorney, John Furniss, made previous submissions that he was subject to a curfew, which could have been taken into account in reducing the sentence further, neither Justice Richards nor DPP counsel could find any evidence of a curfew having been implemented. In the circumstances, Justice Richards noted that she may consider giving Manhukumar credit for the curfew hours if his lawyer can later present evidence of the implementation of a curfew.
Justice Richards also implemented a Sexual Harm Prevention Order as follows:
- no direct or indirect contact with victim or her family
- not to work as a massage therapist in the Cayman Islands
- not to engage in any paid or voluntary work that would cause him to be alone with any female
- notification to police of any change of residence
Justice Richards noted that the Sexual Harm Prevention Order will be in place for five years following his release in prison.
For the background on this indecent assault, please see the previous story below:
