Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Toby Vue

Former masseur fronts court over 17 sexual assault charges

A former masseur has pleaded not guilty to 17 sexual assault charges, accused of raping and committing indecent acts against six women during a two-year period at a Phillip traditional Chinese medicine clinic.

Weiqing Liu, 32, fronted the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday when his lawyer, Paul Edmonds, entered the not guilty pleas on his behalf to all charges, including six counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

The remainder of the charges are committing an act of indecency.

In a statement, ACT Policing allege that the offending happened at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic between late 2019 and October this year when the defendant was providing massage services.

MORE COURT NEWS

Mr Liu was initially charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent against two women and he faced court in October.

The remainder of the charges were laid against him after four other women contacted police to allege he had assaulted them, police said.

An interpreter helped Mr Liu in court before magistrate James Lawton on Friday.

The court gave the matter 10 weeks to allow prosecution evidence to be served on the defendant.

In his previous court appearance, bail was not opposed and numerous conditions, including being barred from attending the workplace and working in the industry.

He must also not be within 100m of the any of the Capital Health Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine sites.

The defendant is on bail and is scheduled to front court again January.

The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent if convicted is 12 years in jail.

Police said the investigation into the man was continuing.

Any other complainants are urged to contact ACT Policing Operations on 131444, quoting reference 6936673.

Weiqing Liu, 32, fronted the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday when he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.