Michael Morris Wilson: Serial naturopath sex predator sentenced

The fourteenth victim of a serial naturopath predator jailed for sexually assaulting his clients says she felt ashamed her story was never believed.

Michael Morris Wilson leaves the County Court in 2008 after being sentenced.

A Prahran serial predator already behind bars for sexually assaulting up to 13 women while he was a naturopath has been jailed again for similar offending.

Michael Morris Wilson, 66, pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault in the Melbourne County Court earlier this month.

The victim, who was 18 years younger than Wilson, was being treated for chronic fatigue at his Melbourne Complementary Medicine naturopathy clinic between 2000 and 2005.

In her first appointment, Wilson had his victim take off her clothes except for her underwear and lay uncovered on a massage table.

Wilson massaged her chest, before he touched her breasts.

During the third appointment, Wilson touched her breasts again and under her underwear.

The victim tried to move off the table and said: “Is this really necessary?”

Wilson did not respond, but stared directly at the victim, picked up lip balm, put his index finger into it before smelling his fingers.

Wilson then rubbed his lips before putting his fingers in his mouth.

The victim left without paying.

The victim initially reported the assaults to police in 2008 but no formal report was taken at the time.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Kellie Blair slammed the lack of police action, describing it as “devastating” to the victim as she felt her story was not heard and that she had not been believed.

Judge Blair said the inaction forced the victim to relive the trauma when she approached the police in 2018 to make a complaint.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the victim said Wilson’s actions had humiliated her and led to feelings of shame and guilt that had flow-on effects in her relationships.

Judge Blair said the delay meant the court could see first-hand how long-lasting the trauma was.

Judge Blair sentenced Wilson to eight months in prison, suspended due to Wilson’s guilty plea and declining health.

Judge Blair said she hoped the sentence would give the victim some closure.

“Your voice has been heard by the court and there will certainly be accountability and consequences for the person who has caused this harm to you,” she said.

Wilson was jailed for up to 16 years in 2008 for sexually assaulting 13 of his clients — including a 12-year-old girl.

A successful 2011 appeal saw six charges of indecent assault, 10 charges of rape and one charge of indecent act with a child under 16 struck out.

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