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Matthew Priest fondled his clients after they had contacted his sports masseur business to be treated for muscle injuries.

Priest, 41, carried out a three-year campaign of sexual assaults on the male clients at his Edinburgh flat where he operated his business, The Edinburgh Massage.

The therapist admitted six attacks on men in December 2018 and was sentenced to a five-year Sexual Offenders Prevention Order, a two-year supervision order and unpaid work.

Abuse of position

Following press coverage of the case more victims contacted the police to report they had also been sexually assaulted by Priest.

Priest pleaded guilty to a further 15 sex assaults on unsuspecting male clients at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

Sentencing him today, Sheriff Donald Corke said: “You pled guilty to 15 charges of sexual assault on men in the course of your work as a sports masseur.

“These further 15 cases have arisen from the publicity surrounding the case so it is no fault of the prosecution that they were not prosecuted at the same time.

“You performed intimate massages on these men including the full removal of their clothing and massaging their groin area.

“Your behaviour was clearly harmful, your behaviour was planned and you abused your professional position. You even charged them as if you had provided the services they expected.”

Priest was jailed for 16 months and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

Previously prosecutor Susan Dickson told the court victims included students, amateur runners and an Edinburgh Fringe performer who required a professional sports therapist to treat muscle injuries.

Most of the men contacted Priest for treatment after reading reviews of his services online while the pervert also made contact with one man in the changing rooms of a gym and offered to help him with his injuries.

The victims - who cannot be identified due to legal reasons - mostly believed the sexual touching by Priest was “ an accident” at the time but later reported the incidents.

Defending solicitor Matthew Nicolson said all the offences took place over the same time period and that his client was “a very different man and is getting on with his life”.

The brief said Priest has set up two new businesses including a photography company and that he has “no intention of going back to his previous field of employment”.

Mr Nicolson added: ‘He fully understands these are serious charges and these are the sort of charges that custody would be in the forefront of any judge’s mind.”

Priest admitted sexually assaulting 15 men at his Easter Road home, between January 2015 and June 2018.

Priest offered £45 per hour advanced sports massage sessions and according to his website, which is now closed.

Leith sports therapist who sexually assaulted more than 20 men during 'intimate' massage sessions jailed