'Sexual predator' who molested women while posing as masseuse is jailed
A "sexual predator" who molested two women while posing as a masseuse during "therapy" sessions has been jailed.
Jay Steel, 60, advertised a service offering deep tissue massages on the internet.
His two victims – who attended sessions independently of each other – were both sexually assaulted while Steel massaged them.
Detectives fear there may be more victims, and have urged anyone who feels they may have been molested by Steel to come forward.
After the first incident in February 2017 in Southwark, south London, the woman reported the attack to police.
Steel was arrested several days later, but released under investigation after he denied the allegations.
The second attack happened two years later in March 2019 at an address in Dollis Hill, north west London,
The attack was reported to police but Steel, of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, again denied any wrongdoing - claiming he had only carried out "professional massage services" as described in his advert. He was finally charged in April last year.
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A trial at Croydon Crown Court in May found him guilty of five counts of sexual assault.
Steel was sentenced to 18 months in prison at a sentencing hearing on Friday, and was issued with a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Metropolitan Police Detective Constable Victoria Gaunt, who led the investigation, said: “Jay Steel is a sexual predator who used the guise of a masseuse to assault women, who had placed their trust in him, for his own perverted gratification.
“The women Steel abused have shown great strength and courage to report their ordeal to police and support our investigation – I hope his conviction brings them some sense of justice."
She added: “It is highly likely that Steel carried out other attacks while masquerading as a masseuse. I would ask any women who believe they have been a victim of Steel to come forward and speak to police.
"I hope his conviction demonstrates the Met’s commitment to investigating sexual offenders and ensuring they are held to account for their actions.”
