Abuse by massage therapist at Sopwell House Hotel
A massage therapist has been convicted and sentenced for sexually assaulting four women while working at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Sovamsing David Muivah, 26, of St Albans, who worked under the name of David at the time, assaulted the women at the hotel during massage treatments between February and October 2024. He denied all charges, meaning the victims, aged in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, had to give evidence at trial, reliving the trauma.
Police praised the women for their “incredible strength” that saw Muivah found guilty of four counts of sexual assault by touching. He was sentenced to four prison sentences of two-and-a-half years each, to run concurrently.
I am sure these brave women are relieved he has been sentenced and that others are protected from his actions.
His Honour Judge Mann commended the bravery of the victims during sentencing, saying: “They are by definition in a vulnerable position – often face downwards, effectively naked. Entirely in your trust and that of Sopwell House. I have no doubt this was sexual. One word – violated – comes to mind. It has had a psychological consequence for each of them.”
As His Honour Judge Mann acknowledged the sexual assaults these women were subjected to were a clear abuse of trust and will have had an impact on each of his victims.
In addition to the criminal case, Muivah’s victims could also consider bringing a civil claim for the abuse they have endured and its impact. Abuse can harm individuals in a variety of ways and can result in a survivor of abuse needing counselling, other treatment, or time off work in order to process and recover from what happened.
A civil claim will involve fully exploring how each victim has been impacted. Alongside damages that recognise the abuse they have been through, a civil claim can also cover therapy costs and a loss of earnings.
As Muivah is likely to have been employed by Sopwell House Hotel, and as the abuse took place during the course of his work, the hotel could be held vicariously responsible for his actions and any psychiatric injury that his victims have suffered.
At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we are passionate about supporting survivors of abuse and have a specialist team of experts in abuse law who can provide information and advice about civil claims. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to discuss any of the above, please get in touch with me or one of our other specialist team members for a confidential, no-obligation conversation.
