A trip to a spa for a hot-stone full-body massage became the focus of a criminal trial that ended Friday with a jury acquitting the man accused of sexually assaulting a female client.

The jury returned not guilty verdicts on charges of serious indecency and indecent assault after approximately four hours of deliberations.

The verdicts were reached by an 8–1 majority.

The case arose from an incident on February 27, 2025, when the complainant visited the spa and paid for a hot-stone full-body massage.

During the massage, the woman alleged that the accused touched her sexually without her consent and performed a sexual act on her. Her allegations subsequently resulted in the man being charged with serious indecency and indecent assault.

The accused denied the allegations.

During the trial, jurors also heard evidence about an encounter between the complainant and the accused several months before the alleged incident at the spa.

The woman alleged that on that occasion, the accused used his vehicle to block her in while she was in a parking lot.

The accused told the court he could not recall that encounter.

After hearing the evidence presented by the prosecution and defence, the case was placed in the hands of the jury.

Jurors deliberated for roughly four hours before returning to court with majority verdicts of not guilty on both charges.

Attorney Wendel Alexander represented the accused, while prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions presented the Crown’s case.

The acquittals bring the criminal proceedings against the accused on both charges to an end.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Jury Acquits Spa Masseuse of Sexual Assault Charges.