Riaz Behi: Sydney chiro facing jail over sexual assaults

Once a high-flying chiropractor, Riaz Behi now spends his day in prison protection with his brave victim today revealing the trauma of her sexual assault.

A brave young woman who was “humiliated” in a series of sexual assaults has for the first time spoken about the ordeal she suffered at the hands of her chiropractor.

The 31-year-old, who cannot be identified, spoke at length in a victim impact statement in the District Court on Friday after Riaz Behi was found guilty of aggravated sexual touching and sexual assault.

Behi assaulted the young woman multiple times at his York St practice “The Back Guys” not long after she arrived in Australia on a working visa.

Describing how her time in Australia was stained by the assault, the woman said she was “embarrassed and humiliated” in Behi’s practice room.

“All I wanted was for Behi to treat my painful condition, but I am now forever known as his sex assault victim who had my hopes and dreams broken,” she said.

Behi has spent the last month in custody after being found guilty at trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

“I attempted many times to shift my perspective to enjoy Australia but the shameful experience prevented me from doing so.

“The trauma of this incident impacted on my plan to get married and have children. I lost valuable time with my grandfather who wanted to be at my wedding but he passed away.

“My motive for going to the police was so no other woman would suffer like I did.”

Behi, 46, also took the stand at his sentencing hearing to detail his troubled family life and his experience in prison after being remanded in custody last month.

“There’s been to date six or seven fights, one of which was twelve to 15 guys on one person,” he said.

“Guards at Parklea don’t come out until the fight is over. I am terrified literally every minute I’m there.

“One gentleman they thought was an ex-guard, with no proof or no reason he was bashed. I just fear at any moment it is going to turn on me.”

Behi leaving Surry Hills Police Station on bail. Picture: James Gourley

His barrister told Judge Sarah Huggett and extended period in jail would cause a strain on his wife and five children.

Behi was allowed to practice after he was charged but eventually the medical practitioner watchdog banned him, forcing his wife back into work.

The family had borrowed “as much as they could”, Behi’s mother had sold the house and the chiropractor sold all of his Bitcoin in December last year to help pay for the $500,000 legal bill.

The victim’s passionate words came as Behi’s wife – who cannot be named – also gave evidence about her husband, describing him as a “moralistic father” through tears on the stand.

Vowing to stand by him she maintained she believed her husband when he said he did not sexually assault his patient.

“I was chased by the media when this first started and I was asked if I support him and I said yes and I maintain that to this day I believe he is innocent,” she said.

“We are financially ruined potentially.”

Judge Huggett will sentence Behi back at the Downing Centre District Court at a later date.

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