Glenelg masseuse faces serious rape, sexual assault charges

A court has heard staggering revelations a Glenelg masseuse could have hundreds of alleged victims of sexual assault and indecent filming.

A Glenelg masseuse in the country on a work visa could have as many as 264 alleged victims of sexual assault or indecent filming, a court has heard.

The 35-year-old masseuse, whose name and workplace have been suppressed, on Friday faced the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on one charge of rape, one of indecent filming and two of indecent assault.

Police prosecutor Grant Watterson told the court the man, who is married, was arrested on Thursday night.

A phone he had in his possession allegedly contained footage of the other potential incidents dating back to the start of the year.

Mr Watterson told the court initial investigations had identified two alleged victims.

He said the investigation into the total number of alleged victims could take “some time”.

“There’ a whole series of each interaction, or session, he’s (allegedly) indecently filmed a victim,” Mr Watterson said.

“That’s not individual images it’s … incidents.

“Your Honour can see how complicated this might be, particularly with that number (264), but there may, in fact, be more.”

Police earlier alleged the man indecently assaulted one woman during a massage on Sunday and another woman three days later under the same circumstances.

The man was then arrested the next day and the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner was advised of the allegations.

Defence for the masseuse made a bail application and asked whether the man could be detained at home while police compiled further information and he took instructions from his client.

But police opposed all forms of bail based on the seriousness of the allegations and the man’s visa status.

“As the prosecution we will be going down the line that there is a significant investigation and we’re concerned … there’s also the issue of flight risk given that he is facing such serious charges,” Mr Watterson told the court.

Magistrate Paul Foley told the man’s defence counsel home detention bail being approved was unlikely.

“The nature of the charges are such that, with the exception of some amazing set of submissions you are able to put, at this stage your client’s just not getting bail, that’s the reality of the situation,” he said.

Mr Foley adjourned the bail application until next week.

Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.