Healer 'massaged woman's groin'

A woman has told a court how a holistic medicine practitioner massaged her groin as she lay semi-naked on his treatment couch.

James Hands, 69, from Ottery St Mary, Devon, is accused of a number of assaults over a 10-year period.

He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault and five counts of indecent assault.

Exeter Crown Court heard Mr Hands assaulted women under the guise of giving them legitimate treatment.

I remember thinking how do I get out of here, where is the door, where are my clothes? Witness

The first woman, who went for treatment for a neck problem at Mr Hands' home clinic, said Mr Hands mainly concentrated on that during the first session.

But during her second appointment, as she again lay on the treatment couch wearing only her underwear, he told her she had "very good legs."

Then she said "he started making multiple movements around my groin and pubic area, which frightened me".

She thought he was doing something "to satisfy himself" and "to see if I would respond in a sexual way".

The witness went on: "I remember thinking how do I get out of here, where is the door, where are my clothes?

"I thought the best thing to do was to ignore it and get out as quickly as I could."

Another woman, who went to Mr Hands with lower back and menopausal problems, said he told her she could benefit from lymphatic drainage.

The woman, who was in her bra and pants, said Hands massaged each leg, twice inserting fingers into her vagina.

"I was a bit surprised at what was happening, but I trusted him and believed it was all part of lymphatic drainage," she said.

The case continues.