Former massage therapist Donghui Zhao receives suspended prison sentence for multiple sexual assaults

A 48-year-old man has been told by a magistrate his behaviour was “a gross breach of trust” after he sexually assaulted multiple victims at a massage parlour in Perth’s south. Donghui Zhao, 48, appeared before Rockingham Magistrates Court on Friday, pleading guilty to five charges of unlawful and indecent assault. Zhao and his wife were the owners of G.T Relaxation Room in Warnbro at the time of the offending. Prosecutor Sgt Matt Barker told the court on December 17, 2020, a 31-year-old victim attended G.T Relaxation Room requesting a back, neck and shoulder massage. During the massage, Zhao put his hands on the victim’s left breast and rubbed her nipple, he said. The victim grabbed his hand and told him “no”. A short time later, he put his hand down her underwear and began rubbing her genital area. Zhao then told the victim to gather her clothes and meet him outside the main area, which the victim declined. She reported the incident to police and he was later arrested. A 31-year-old victim attended the G.T Relaxation Room on October 14, 2021. The victim requested a head, neck and shoulder massage with body oil. Zhao told the victim he could give her a discounted full-body massage. Zhao started to massage the victim’s breast then leaned down and pressed his mouth on to her breast. The victim reported the incident to Rockingham police and Zhao was later arrested by Cannington police. On April 29, 2022, a 20-year-old victim attended the G.T Relaxation Room and requested a full body massage with hot stones. Zhao placed his hands on the victim’s breasts and proceeded to squeeze her nipples. He then began to massage outside her genital area. The victim reported the incident and he was arrested a few days later. Duty counsel Christos Evangel said that “Mr Zhao accepts responsibility” and “agrees with the facts”. “He admits that he didn’t ask for permission to touch the victims inappropriately,” Mr Evangel said. “He doesn’t speak English and this may have been a factor in communicating with the customers. “This has had an impact on his family and has brought a lot of personal shame.” Mr Evangel said in terms of this type of offending it was at the lower end of the spectrum, and asked the magistrate to consider a financial penalty or suspended term of imprisonment. “He no longer works at the premises that his wife operates,” Mr Evangel said. Sgt Barker said the prosecution would be seeking a term of imprisonment. “This was a gross breach of trust. He took advantage and would have caused significant stress to the victims,” he said. Sgt Barker said a starting point would be jail time, but the prosecution would support a conditionally suspended term with intervention programs. “These victims sought out services and he took advantage for his own gratification,” Sgt Barker said. Magistrate Steven Malley said Zhao’s behaviour was “a gross breach of trust”. “It wasn’t just a one-off, it was over a period of time,” he said. “These women, in my view, were vulnerable, and this is behaviour that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.” Mr Malley said after considering Zhao’s early plea of guilt, remorse and prior good record, he would be unlikely to continue with the behaviour. He sentenced Zhao to an 18-month suspended term of imprisonment. “If he commits any offence within the 18-month period, it will be an immediate term of imprisonment,” Mr Malley said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)