Indian-origin physio jailed for molesting girl in Singapore

An Indian-origin physiotherapist was sentenced to 11 months' jail and three strokes of the cane for molesting a teenage girl patient during treatment.

Luke Manimaran Degarajoo, 43, had touched the 18-year old inappropriately during a physiotherapy session massage at his clinic about a year ago. He was sentenced yesterday.

The teen victim had turned up at the clinic on March 25 last year at 6.20pm (local time) seeking treatment for back and hip pain, according to a report by The Straits Times.

Luke told her the session would last 15 minutes and directed her to a massage bed in a therapy room.

Meanwhile, the victim's friend waited outside and the door to the room was left half shut.

When the massage started, the teenager was fully clothed. But then Luke told her to remove her top and loosen her shorts.

The victim complied as she thought it was part of the treatment. While massaging her, Luke molested her twice after rolling down her underwear and shorts.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Gail Wong said, "The victim felt uncomfortable by the contact but did not shout or ask for help as she was unsure if it was part of the treatment or not."
When confronted, Luke claimed the victim needed a deep