Judges spares massage therapist jail after he sexually assaulted 19yo client in Townsville - ABC News

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The sexual assaults took place during August 2021.(ABC News: Rachel Clayton)

A Townsville massage therapist convicted of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old client during an appointment has avoided jail time.

Key points:​

• Andrew Martin Wallace was convicted of two counts of sexual assault after massaging a woman's breasts and pubic area
• Judge Paul Smith said the offending had a "terrible" impact on the victim
• Wallace received a suspended sentence of eight months and was ordered to pay compensation

Andrew Martin Wallace, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault in the District Court in Townsville.

In August 2021, he unlawfully massaged a young woman's breasts and pubic area underneath her underwear when she visited his business for a massage.

In sentencing remarks delivered on July 31 but published on Friday, Judge Paul Smith said Wallace had admitted to rubbing the client's breasts "as part of a therapeutic technique" but conceded there was not adequate informed consent.

"It had a pretty big effect on this girl, actually. It is terrible," Judge Smith said.


"She was vulnerable; that is true. It was protracted; that is true too. There is a breach of trust."


Judge Smith sentenced Wallace to eight months in prison, wholly suspended.

He was also ordered to pay the victim $1,000 in compensation.

"In light of your otherwise good character, I think this is out of character for you," Judge Smith said.

Wallace has been a practicing massage therapist for 20 years.

Two weeks after the assault took place, the Queensland Health Ombudsman ordered that Wallace "must not provide any health service to females".


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