Former massage therapist’s sentencing hearing to resume

Sentencing arguments are scheduled to continue today for a former Saskatoon massage therapist who sexually assaulted six female clients in his home-based business.

Last month, the Crown presented its case against 50-yearold Mark Mcmahon Donlevy, who pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault stemming from massage therapy sessions between 2009 and 2016.

The sentencing hearing was adjourned on Oct. 4 so defence lawyer Alan Mcintyre could decide if he would call Donlevy’s psychologist to testify about a letter with some contested aspects.

Crown prosecutor Sheryl Fillo argued for a sentence of six-and-ahalf years, saying Donlevy was in a position of trust and preyed on vulnerable women who were either in chronic pain or lacked the means to pay for regular therapeutic massages.

Court heard Donlevy would offer his massage services for free, especially to women he met while he was a student.

According to the outlined offences, Donlevy groped the women’s breasts and genitals, often under the guise that it was necessary for their pain treatment. He sometimes sent the victims Facebook messages after, asking them to come back for more massages.

In their victim impact statements, the women described Donlevy as a “coward” who made them fear men in professional positions. Many women said they didn’t think anyone would believe them until they learned Donlevy had been charged with other assaults.

Two women came forward in 2016 and reported Donlevy had sexually assaulted them during separate appointments in 2013 and 2016. Ten more women contacted police after the charges were announced.

The registered massage therapist was charged with a total of 12 counts of sexual assault against 12 different women, but the Crown agreed to stay half the charges at the conclusion of sentencing.

Donlevy is currently serving a three-year sentence after he was found guilty in 2018 of date raping a woman in 2004. He is appealing that conviction.