Massage therapist accused of choking out client during a home session

(FILE)

A massage therapist has been charged with assault after allegedly choking out one of his female clients in her home.

Lev Bortsov, 61, is accused of strangling the woman until she lost consciousness during a home massage session in the northwest Calgary community of Varsity.

Police say the alleged incident occurred Jan. 30, 2023, and was reported Feb. 2, 2023.

The charge of assault by choking was announced on Thursday.

It's also believed Bortsov was practising with an expired licence between May 2015 and January 2023.

Anyone who was a client of Bortsov's during that time, or has otherwise relevant information, is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.