A window cleaner was last night facing jail after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an 87-year-old dementia sufferer during a massage.
David Carey claimed he was a qualified masseuse – but went on trial at Inverness Sheriff Court this week accused of touching the woman’s private parts at an address in Sutherland on various occasions between 2015 and 2017.
He was found guilty yesterday by a majority. The verdict came after more than two hours of deliberations.
The 60-year-old had his bail continued for a background report and was told by Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood: “I am hard pressed to consider anything other than a lengthy custodial sentence.”
The Sheriff then thanked the jurors for their “careful consideration of an unpleasant case”.
Carey, from Easter Ross, had claimed the pensioner had given her consent.
During the two-day trial, the jury learned that Carey, of Kildary, had filmed himself on November 9, 2016, on his smart phone massaging the upper body of the woman, who has since died.
Police found it on his computer.
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter
During the 26 minutes of footage which was played to the jury on Monday, Carey could be seen opening the woman’s dressing gown and pyjamas to expose her upper body.
Giving evidence, the woman’s GP Fraser Nicol told the court that, at the time of the offences: “I would expect a lay person to see there was something really wrong with her.”
Detective Constable Christopher Robertson interviewed Carey after the video was recovered from his home.
Carey denied knowledge of the woman’s dementia. He claimed he had qualified as a massage therapist at Inverness College and offered a full range of techniques, including a “sensual massage.”
He alleged that he had several female clients who wanted one. However he declined to name them.
Carey also claimed their consent forms had been destroyed when he spilled aromatherapy oil on them by accident.
He said he performed this type of massage on many occasions to the woman with her consent.
Carey explained to officers that he filmed some massages without his clients’ knowledge to ensure his posture was correct as he injured his back working in the building trade.
“I didn’t think they would mind.” Carey said.
Defence solicitor Neil Wilson reserved his comments until sentencing, which will take place on April 18.