Latest news with #psychologicalharm
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Famous singer and actress tells how she was sexually assaulted in Thai massage parlour in Soho as her attacker is jailed for four years
A 'vulnerable' young singer and actress has been left suffering panic attacks after her masseur sexually assaulted her at a Thai massage parlour in London 's West End. Masseur Sundaralingam Koodalingam, 36, who came to the country from the Maldives in 2021, assaulted the woman while working at the Rupert Jade Thai Massage in Soho. As she lay naked on the table, Koodalingam intimately touched the famous singer and actress, who cannot be named for legal reasons, without her consent. He has been jailed for four years with Southwark Crown Court hearing of the 'significant psychological harm' and 'ongoing impact' on the woman's day-to-day life. In a victim impact statement that was read to the court, the woman said the assault has 'fundamentally changed' her and she has been left 'untrusting'. The young actress added that it has caused her 'creativity' to be 'stifled by fear and insecurity.' In her victim statement, she said: 'Immediately after the incident took place, I couldn't go to work. I have had to have regular therapy sessions since the incident. 'I struggled to know who I was as I always saw myself as someone who would stand up and fight.' She explained that she found it difficult to talk to people about her ordeal. 'I found it difficult to talk to friends about what had happened. I don't want to use the words necessary to explain what he did to me. 'Imagine the sentence "At least he didn't rape you' being the silver lining..." 'Ultimately, I am fundamentally changed by the incident. The actions of the defendant left me sad and untrusting of people. 'I don't know if I will ever get back to who I was before that day. 'He has taken away my trust, and my innocence, and my ability to give anyone, especially a stranger who happens to be a man, the benefit of the doubt.' She added: 'I now know I did absolutely nothing wrong that day.' Fiona Robertson, prosecuting, said: 'It is clear there was an abuse of trust between a professional masseuse and a client. 'There was significant psychological harm. She talks about the ongoing impact on her day-to-day life. She talks about the impact across different aspects of her life.' Referring to the victim impact statement, Ben Hargreaves, defending, said: 'Nothing I can possibly say can devalue that victim interest statement at all. He continued: 'He came to this country under the sponsorship of a legitimate business in the Cotswolds. 'The prison estate is in dire straits. Any prison sentence that he faces will be long, hard and cruel in desolate and decrepit buildings and circumstances. 'He has been in the country since 2021. Any term that he spends incarcerated will be exceptionally hard for him, especially given the offence that he is convicted of.' Koodalingam, of Manor Park, east London, who appeared at Southwark Crown Court wearing a grey jumper and dark blue jeans, denied but was convicted of assault by penetration and sexual assault. He is originally from the Maldives but was educated in India. Jailing the masseur for four years, the judge, Mr Recorder Jeremy Brier, KC, told Koodalingam: 'On March 29, 2023, a young female actress and singer went to the Rupert Jade massage parlour in Soho. 'During the course of the massage, you assaulted her. 'This was a terrible ordeal for her. She describes it as a violation. 'She describes having panic attacks, and says that she cannot relax in public spaces since the incident has taken place. 'She was naked, vulnerable, and entirely trusting in your professionalism and integrity. 'This offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified...' The judge said the lowest possible sentence he could pass was four years for assault by penetration with two years concurrent for the sexual assault.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- The Sun
Teen girl sexually assaulted inside shower at UK public swimming pool as man, 46, jailed for 11 years
A MAN has been jailed for 11 years after sexually assaulting a teen girl inside a shower at a UK public swimming pool. The "dreadful impact" of the assault meant that the smell of chlorine makes her tense to this day. 1 A court heard the teen had been caused "severe psychological harm" and suffered "vivid nightmares" from the memories of what happened, according to MEN Media. Tomasz Figura, 46, of Cave Street, off Beverley Road, Hull, denied offences of assault by penetration, sexual assault and voyeurism. But he was convicted by a jury after a trial at Hull Crown Court on April 8. He failed to attend for sentencing at Grimsby Crown court on May 9 as he admitted he was "drunk". Three days later he was was arrested for also failing to attend at Hull Crown Court and was remanded in custody. Claire Holmes, prosecuting, told a delayed sentencing hearing at Doncaster Crown Court that Figura received sexual gratification by seeing the girl showering. He intimately touched her while she was in the shower. Figura, who appeared in court via a video link from Hull Prison, said: "It's all a lie." Miss Holmes said that the girl suffered severe psychological harm from what happened. The girl later said: "I was crying myself to sleep and walking to school with puffy eyes. "I couldn't cope with the thoughts that plagued my mind. I suffered vivid nightmares, those same scenes playing on repeat in my head. I had countless panic attacks. I was constantly battling my own thoughts. "To this day, the smell of chlorine makes my muscles tense." The court heard that Figura was originally allowed bail and was due to be sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on May 9 but he did not turn up. Judge Alexander Menary told Figura: "I was told the reason you didn't come to court was that you were drunk. Is that correct?" Figura replied: "That's correct." Judge Menary said: "Just because you were drunk is not a good reason not to come." Figura replied: "I understand." John Dunning, mitigating, said that there had been no further offences since. Figura had no previous convictions but he had a caution in June last year for possessing an air weapon in his car. He suffered health problems and was now in a wheelchair. "That condition is likely to make any term of imprisonment much more arduous," said Mr Dunning. Figura was helped during the court hearing by a Polish interpreter. Judge Menary said of the girl: "The dreadful impact on her was apparent at trial. There was severe psychological harm here. She is still impacted by what happened to her." Figura was jailed for 11 years. He was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will have to register as a sex offender for life.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Dimitri Payet charged with ‘psychological violence' against ex who accused him of forcing her to ‘drink own urine'
FORMER West Ham star Dimitri Payet faces trial after being accused of "sexual, physical and psychological violence" against his ex-girlfriend. Brazilian prosecutors have charged the ex-France midfielder, 38, with abusing 28-year-old lawyer Larissa Ferrari. 3 3 Payet hit 15 goals in 60 Hammers appearances and was their 2015-16 player of the season. The married dad-of-four joined Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in 2023 and went on to form a relationship with local woman Larissa. Rio de Janeiro prosecutors allege he took advantage of her vulnerability to start the relationship, then caused her "psychological and emotional harm" including being violent. Police initially closed their inquiry but prosecutors reopened the case after an appeal by Larissa and have now pressed charges. Payet has been accused of causing her emotional damage through "hurtful and degrading expressions, humiliation, manipulation and mockery". Larissa made allegations to The Sun on Sunday in April that Payet had forced her to film degrading films, drink her own urine and water from the toilet, and lick the floor. She also claimed she had to take part in a fake wedding and wear a ring to 'prove her love'. Payet is said to have told Brazilian police everything between him and Larissa was consensual. 3 Documents from the country's Public Ministry say the couple met online and shared a mutual interest in sexual relations involving "acts of daringness and violence". The official report states Larissa suffered depression as a result of Payet's behaviour towards her. Her lawyers said: "This measure shows that the authorities are aware of the seriousness of the facts. "They are minded to make sure that behaviours that harm women's dignity do not go unpunished - no matter how high-profile the suspect may be." The footballer, whose Vasco contract was torn up earlier this month, could have to pay a huge fine and the costs of Larissa's medical treatment if the accusations against him are found to be true. Payet's lawyer Sheila Lustoza said: "I'm surprised the case has been reopened, as it is based on information that was already out there. "But I am confident that the legal system will recognise my client's innocence." Payet left West Ham for Marseille in a £25million deal in January 2017 after falling out of favour with Hammers fans. The set-piece expert, who has 38 caps, pushed for a transfer after claiming he was homesick.
Khaleej Times
09-06-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Woman insults sister, ordered to pay Dh10,000 in damages
A woman has been ordered to pay her sister Dh10,000 in compensation after verbally insulting her in a way that damaged her dignity and reputation. The ruling was issued by the Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Claims. The case began when the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against her sister, seeking Dh60,000 in damages. She claimed that her sister had insulted her and used offensive and degrading language toward her. A criminal court had already convicted the defendant in a final ruling for the same incident. In response, the accused appealed and asked the civil court to dismiss the case. However, the court clarified that since the criminal conviction was final, it could not be revisited. The civil court's role was solely to determine compensation for the harm caused, according to a report published by local media outlet Emarat Al Youm on Monday, June 9. The court noted that the language used by the defendant was demeaning and likely to have caused psychological distress. It ruled that the defendant's actions constituted legal wrongdoing and that there was a direct connection between the insult and the emotional harm suffered by the plaintiff. However, the court also considered the fact that the dispute took place between family members. It acknowledged that verbal altercations among relatives may not carry the same social weight or consequences as similar disputes between strangers. Taking all these factors into account, the court ordered the defendant to pay Dh10,000 in compensation, in addition to covering court fees and legal costs. The court rejected the remaining demands made by the plaintiff.
