Lethbridge Courthouse. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Decision expected in November for Lethbridge massage therapist charged with sexual assault

Oct 29, 2020 | 10:16 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – In just under a month’s time, a registered massage therapist in Lethbridge will learn his fate.

Cyprien Mudenge, 55, faces one count of sexual assault after allegedly touching a client inappropriately back in November 2018.

The victim, a 36-year-old woman whose name is protected under a publication ban, testified earlier this week that Mudenge touched her butt, chest, and vagina, despite her not wanting him to do that, him not asking if he could, and her not telling him that he could.

She told court that she did not say anything sooner during the massage because she was in shock and wanted to be 100 per cent sure that she would not be making any false accusations.

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The accused denied all allegations and claimed that he never did anything unprofessional.

The defense attorney for Mudenge brought up inconsistencies between her testimony in court and the series of three statements she made to police in 2018.

He states that the woman could not properly remember the specific order of which body parts his client massaged or in what manner he moved her underwear.

The defense argued that the complainant was offering “differing versions of events” and claimed that she lacked credibility.

Justice Johnna Kubik is expected to make a ruling on the case on November 23.

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