Sovamsing David Muivah

Sovamsing David Muivah, a 26-year-old masseur working at the Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, Hertfordshire, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after being found guilty of four counts of sexual assault by touching. The offences occurred between February and October 2024, during which Muivah exploited his position of trust to repeatedly touch women in their intimate areas without consent while they were undergoing massages.

The investigation began in October 2024 when one victim reported the assault to the hotel and Hertfordshire Police. This led to the identification of three additional victims from other parts of the county, all of whom were previously unknown to each other and aged in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. The women described their experiences in court after Muivah denied the charges, enduring the trauma of cross-examination.

Detective Constable Oliver Virtue of Hertfordshire Police commended the victims' resilience, stating: 'These women have shown incredible strength. They were subjected to repeated sexual touching of intimate areas without their consent and then faced the ordeal of a trial and cross-examination. Their resilience ensured Muivah was convicted and the public is now protected from his predatory behaviour.' He further noted one victim's description of Muivah as 'a wolf in sheep’s clothing', highlighting how he abused a role intended for care and relaxation.

At St Albans Crown Court on January 13, 2025, His Honour Judge Mann KC sentenced Muivah, of Abbots Park in St Albans, to four concurrent two-and-a-half-year prison terms. The judge remarked on the victims' vulnerability, saying: 'They are by definition in a vulnerable position – often face downwards, effectively naked. Entirely in your trust and that of Sopwell House. I have no doubt this was sexual. One word – violated – comes to mind. It has had a psychological consequence for each of them.' The judge also praised the Hertfordshire Police investigation as 'professional and well executed', which minimised distress to the victims.

Following his release, Muivah will be deported to India. The victims expressed relief at the sentencing, having feared they would not be believed.