Accused: Reflexologist Stuart Hill allegedly used a massager inappropriately on his female patients

A reflexologist used a high street massager device on his patients in a bid to satisfy his lust while pretending the 'treatment' would solve their health problems, a court was told.

Stuart Hill, 57, told his female patients he was using the latest Chinese massage technique which would help them feel better.

Hill claimed the 'hormone therapy', which involved him placing a high street vibrating massager on an intimate part of the patient's body, was banned in the UK.

He said it would arouse the patient and make them 'orgasmic', which would in turn help them recover, Durham Crown Court heard.

One of his alleged victims went to his clinic at Meridian Massage at Nevilles Dross, near Durham City, because she had knee problems.

The middle-aged married woman was allegedly never given treatment to her knee.

Instead, Hill allegedly placed the electric massager on an intimate part of her body.

He claimed the therapy had 'scales of arousal between one and 10' and told his patient to think about sex with her husband during the process, the court heard.

Prosecutor Amanda Rippon said: 'The defendant told her this therapy was not legal in England and she was his guinea pig. She began to think this was legitimate therapy.

'He continued to ask her how aroused she was and what turned her on. She started crying because she could not get aroused.

'She started to think that if she could not get aroused she would not get better. He told her she needed to be orgasmic.'

Hill also licked the woman's breasts and told her he was 'well endowed'.  

Miss Rippon described how the victim's face was covered with a towel and so could not see the electric massager Hill was using.

When the massage tool was moved over her groin, she initially presumed it had been inadvertent.

'She trusted the defendant and the prosecution say this was a deliberate act. He was a jolly upbeat man and she genuinely believed that  he wanted her to get better,' the prosecutor said.

'The defendant started to feel better and told her husband that the defendant  was a miracle worker.'

Reflexology is the practice of massaging the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body.

Hill would charge £30 for a one-hour session although he would readily offer discounts to patients - sometimes charging just £5. 

Miss Rippon told the court how Hill would deliberately target female clients. 

'He has been described by the women as an enigmatic person,' she told the jury of nine men and three women.

They came to trust him and believe he was treating them genuinely.

'They were then sexually abused by him and sexually touched by him. He did this under the guise of helping them. Sometimes it appears he simply took advantage of a situation, tried it on if you like.  

'He left these women ashamed, disgusted and distraught and feeling they were to blame and they felt stupid for falling for it. His behaviour is not just indecent, it is criminal.'

The jury also heard Hill had two previous convictions for sexually assaulting female patients.  

Hill, of Red Courts, Brandon, near Durham City denies six charges of sexual assault, two of assault by penetration and one of indecent assault. 

The trial continues.

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