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AAP
AAP
National
Laine Clark

Amateur masseur accused of sexual assault

A mechanic is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a massage clinic where he worked for free. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

A mechanic who visited a massage parlour to train and work for free has been accused of sexually assaulting a customer.

Constantin Aciobanitei, 56, allegedly pressed his penis into a woman's arm twice while massaging her at the clinic north of Brisbane in September 2020, the District Court heard.

The woman had been served by two females at the Morayfield business but was surprised to hear a male voice before her treatment began, crown prosecutor Michael Connolly said.

She was lying face down on the massage table at the time after removing her shirt and bra, court heard.

Despite requesting a neck and shoulder treatment, Aciobanitei began massaging her back while "breathing very heavily", Mr Connolly said.

"She formed the impression that he was merely running his hands over her body rather than perform any massage on that area," he told the jury on Monday.

The woman felt uneasy when she then heard clothing being adjusted but didn't want to get up from the table because it would expose her bare chest, court was told.

Mr Connolly said the woman became "paralysed by fear" when Aciobanitei then pressed his erect penis against the back of her arm which lay on her side.

Aciobanitei briefly massaged her head by "merely making movements with his knuckles" before he returned to her side and pushed his penis into her arm again, the court heard.

Mr Connolly said she tucked her arm under her body and when Aciobanitei asked if she was OK, the woman replied: "I think we are done now".

When she looked up, the woman was only able to see the "back of him" as the masseur left, Mr Connolly said.

Before leaving the woman told staff her massage was "not amazing to be honest" but still paid, he said.

The woman picked up a business card for the clinic and a staff member wrote "Bob" on it.

"The complainant ... told staff members she would never be asking for him again and walked out," Mr Connolly said.

Police later interviewed Aciobanitei who told them he had previously worked as a mechanic "but was learning" to become a masseur.

He told them he could go to the Morayfield massage parlour "whenever he liked" and would receive informal training from the owner who referred to him as "Bob", the court heard.

Mr Connolly said Aciobanitei estimated that he had given "10 to 30 massages" to customers over four weeks but was not paid for his work.

He agreed that there were times when he was left alone with customers but denied the woman's allegations.

Aciobanitei has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault.

The trial before Judge John Allen continues.

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