Jury convicts massage therapist of assault

The trial of a Sherwood Park massage therapist accused of sexually assaulting clients has ended with two dropped charges and a conviction for a lesser offence.

John Dorion began a trial in Edmonton Court of King's Bench last week on allegations he sexually touched two clients, including a teenage girl.

The Crown ultimately stayed two of the three charges during trial, leaving the jury to deliberate on the single count of sexual assault involving the teen.

Jurors returned an acquittal on that charge but found Dorion guilty of simple assault. Dorion is in court later this week to set a date for sentencing on that charge

Two complainants testified at Dorion's trial about incidents that occurred at Baseline Chiropractic and Wellness Centre in Sherwood Park in 2022. Dorion faced three counts in total: two counts of sexual assault and a count of sexual interference.

The teen, whose name is covered by a publication ban, told court she asked Dorion to massage her back and neck but ended up receiving a full body massage. She claimed that while working on her legs, Dorion touched her inner thigh and genital area.

The other complainant, also protected by a publication ban, claimed Dorion also touched her sexually.

Court records show the Crown stayed the sexual assault charge involving the adult complainant during trial. Defence lawyer Ajay Juneja said this occurred after cross-examination. The Crown typically stays charges when it believes there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction.

Prosecutors also directed a stay of the sexual interference charge, leaving only the sexual assault count involving the youth complainant.

Jurors ultimately acquitted Dorion of sexual assault, meaning they did not believe the Crown had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. However, jurors convicted him of the lesser charge of assault, which does not include allegations of a sexual nature.

While rare, charges that are stayed by the Crown can be resumed within one year.

Juneja declined to comment on behalf of his client. The case is next in court Friday to schedule a sentencing date.

GREG SOUTHAM An officer works Tuesday near the scene of an attack by two dogs the night before that led to an 11-year-old boy's death. Responding to the incident Wednesday, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi says the young boy's death is a tragedy and his “heart goes out” to the victim's family.