Victoria masseur charged with sex assault; police seek more victims
A Victoria masseur is facing a sexual assault charge, prompting investigators to seek others who may have been attacked.
Ajesh Jacob, 35, has been charged with one count of sexual assault stemming from an incident at a massage and reflexology business where he worked in the 700-block of Fort Street, police said Wednesday.
Jacob, who goes by the name “Sam,” is the focus of “several additional allegations of sexualized violence,” according to police.
Investigators believe there may be other survivors who have not yet spoken with police.
The investigation into Jacob began in March, police said Wednesday.
The manager of Big Feet Reflexology and Acupressure tells CTV News that Jacob worked at the business for approximately two years and seemed to have a good relationship with clients and staff.
Linda Xu says she was made aware of the investigation into her employee in April, at which point she asked him to resign. Jacob promptly left the business and has not worked there since, Xu added.
Jacob was arrested on May 13 and has been released on conditions, including that he not perform massage services on any person.
Since that time, additional survivors have come forward with complaints about the man, police said.
Anyone with information about the assault or other unreported assaults is asked to contact Victoria police at 250-995-7654 or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Correction
This story has been changed to refer to the accused as a masseur, not a massage therapist. Massage therapist is a title that refers to someone registered with the college of massage therapists of British Columbia, which the accused is not.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
Winnipeg police shoot, kill suspect after officer stabbed in the throat
A Winnipeg Police Service officer is recovering after he was stabbed in the throat Sunday evening.
Court hearing legal arguments in sex assault case of five hockey players
A London, Ont., judge is set to hear legal arguments today in the sexual assault case of five members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
opinion Beware the hidden costs of home ownership in Canada
While buying a home is often touted as a way to save on your cost of living, the true cost of ownership goes beyond your monthly mortgage. Personal finance contributor Christopher LIew breaks down some of the less obvious financial obligations of home ownership.
Should sex abuse evidence set the Menendez brothers free? A judge will decide
A judge will decide Monday whether new evidence warrants a re-examination of the convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez in the shotgun murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills home more than 30 years ago.
'Like climbing Mount Everest:' Inside the gruelling world of the Chess World Championship
The Chess World Championship begins in Singapore on Monday with China's Ding Liren seeking to defend his title against India's Gukesh Dommaraju, better known as Gukesh D, who is still just 18 years old and could become the youngest ever person to be crowned world champion.
Hundreds of homeowners in England and Wales battle floodwaters after weekend storm
Hundreds of homeowners in England and Wales were battling floodwaters Monday morning after the second major storm of the winter brought widespread disruption to the U.K.
DHL cargo plane crashes and skids into a house in Lithuania, killing Spanish crew member
A DHL cargo plane crashed on approach to an airport in Lithuania's capital and skidded into a house Monday morning, killing a Spanish crew member but not harming anyone on the ground. The cause of the accident is under investigation.