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Massage therapist acquitted on sex charges

A massage therapist has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting female clients at an Elmsdale wellness centre.

Martin Rene Huybers, 55, of Upper Nine Mile River stood trial in Shubenacadie provincial court on 10 charges of sexual assault involving eight women.

Judge Catherine Benton delivered her verdict July 15, acquitting Huybers on nine counts of sexual assault and finding him guilty of the included offence of common assault on the remaining count.

Huybers will be sentenced Sept. 23 on the assault charge.

RCMP laid three charges of sexual assault against Huybers in July 2018, six more in September 2018 and an additional one after another woman came forward in 2019.

The complainants alleged the offences were committed over a 30month period between July 2014 and January 2017.

The assault conviction is from an incident in June 2016.

The trial got underway in November 2019 and, after a lengthy delay because of the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed last fall.

Huybers’ release conditions prohibit him from being alone with female clients.

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2021-07-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/281621013362138

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