Hobart masseur facing new charges over alleged indecent acts against female client

A Tasmanian masseur who allegedly indecently assaulted a female client during a Hawaiian-style massage at South Arm last year has been served with new charges in a Hobart court.

Valentine Ansett, 54, who has previously pleaded not guilty to one count of assault with indecent intent, appeared before Magistrate Robert Webster on Friday for what had been listed as hearing into the charge. Picture: iStock

A Tasmanian masseur who allegedly indecently assaulted a female client during a Hawaiian-style massage at South Arm last year has been served with new charges in the Hobart Magistrate Court.

Valentine Ansett, 54, who has previously pleaded not guilty to one count of assault with indecent intent, appeared before Magistrate Robert Webster on Friday for what had been listed as hearing into the charge.

But Mr Ansett’s legal counsel asked Magistrate Webster to adjourn the case, after informing the court that prosecutors had on Thursday added two additional counts of indecent assault relating to the same alleged incident, which took place in January, 2024.

Prosecutors told Magistrate Webster that an eventual hearing would take up to one day, and include evidence from the complainant, a police record of an interview with the accused, and testimony from a massage expert.

The case would hinge on exactly what constituted a traditional “Kahuna” massage, prosecutors said.

Mr Ansett was not required to plead to the two new charges.

Magistrate Webster adjourned the case until 8 April.