Acquittal for Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC in sexual assault case against a counsellor

An allegation of sexual assault was made against a therapist who had overtreated over 900 individuals in the course of a long career in counselling.

The complainant alleged that photographs were taken of her torso and that she was touched by the defendant on her back. The prosecution case was that the allegation occurred in circumstances of indecency and that the defendant’s behaviour was grossly inappropriate.

The defence case was that any photographs taken were part of an ‘exposure and response prevention’ exercise where the complainant, who suffered from Body dysmorphic disorder, would be shown photographs of her body to make her feel less obsessively about her appearance and to view her appearance in an objective light.

The trial was conducted at Liverpool Crown Court.

Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC was instructed by Helen Simm, partner at Browne Jacobson.