A therapist has been cleared by a jury of indecently assaulting a female client.
A jury of five men and seven woman acquitted Jamil Mahmood of three counts of sexually assaulting the woman during two therapy sessions.
The 59-year-old married father-of-two denied the allegations, claiming he never behaved in a sexual way and said she may have misinterpreted the acupressure procedure he was using.
Mr Mahmood, a qualified reflexologist who is self-taught in other therapies, claimed he never felt sexually attracted to the complainant, a mother in her early 40s.
Leicester Crown Court was told he had converted the garage at his home in Frinton Avenue, Evington, into a treatment room with two massage beds.
He said that during both therapy sessions with the woman, on March 1 and 7 last year, involving reflexology and massage, his wife was cooking supper in the kitchen on the other side of an unlocked door between the two rooms – and his two grown-up daughters were also in the house.
The complainant said she went to see Mr Mahmood for treatment for back, neck and shoulder pain, after he was personally recommended by two people. She claimed he touched the top of her inner thigh during the first alleged incident.
On her next visit she alleged that he nibbled her ear, touched one of her breasts, massaged her buttocks and felt her private parts.
Mr Mahmood, who is a taxi driver, said he practised alternative therapies as a hobby, helping out relatives and friends of friends.
He said he explained the procedure to the complainant beforehand and massaged close to sensitive areas, but said he never touched her sexually.
He said: "I only wanted to help her feel better, to ease her pain and for her to be more relaxed."
A number of defence witnesses, who have received treatment from Mr Mahmood, praised his work, telling the jury they had greatly benefited from his help and nothing had ever happened to cause them any concern.
Mary Prior, defending, said the complainant, who was uncomfortable during the procedures, may have been confused and misinterpreted events.
However, giving evidence the woman said: "Everything I've said is absolutely true."
The complainant's boyfriend told the court she was deeply upset and crying after the second session with Mr Mahmood and complained of having being touched intimately.
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