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
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.