‘I do want to be punished’: Lakeshore massage therapist begs to stay out of prison

A Belle River massage therapist convicted of sexual assault had a sentencing hearing today. CTV Windsor’s Michelle Maluske reports.

Jeffrey Young was previously convicted of seven counts of sexual assault against former patients.

He was also convicted by Justice Scott Pratt to one count of mischief.

Elizabeth Brown, the prosecutor on the case, is asking for a sentence of five years in prison.

Young, who was emotional during Thursday’s sentencing hearing, begged the judge to spare him a custodial sentence.

“I beg you to show mercy,” Young said. “I have nothing left but the church.”

Young does not have a lawyer and is self-represented for the sentencing.

“What do you say the sentence should be?” Justice Pratt patiently asked Young at one point.

Young agreed with the judge that he would like to be sentenced to two years less a day house arrest, followed by three years on probation.

“I do want to be punished to satisfy the people I’ve hurt,” Young said. “They came there (massage therapy clinic) to be cared for and they were traumatized.”

As a result of a publication ban on reporting the names of the victims, CTV News has been unable to get a copy of the facts in the case and the judges’ reasons for conviction.

In court, Brown described the assaults as “minor sexual assaults” but only when compared to different cases that involve “violent penetrative assault.”

“It’s degrees of seriousness,” Justice Pratt agreed.

Young does not agree with the Crown’s request that his name be added to SOIRA (Sex Offender Information Registration Act).

“It’s not to punish,” Brown argued. “It’s to prevent.”

Brown noted if Young’s name is not on the list, there is nothing to prevent him from resuming his work as a massage therapist and clients would not know about his conviction.

Young tearfully told the court he is no longer a practicing massage therapist.

“There’s a myriad of things I wish had never happened,” Young said. “I wasn’t behaving properly.”

Young blames untreated ADHD for his actions.

Justice Pratt will sentence Young on July 29.