A MASSEUR who sexually assaulted a client told his victim he had 'a body to die for', a court was told.

Blackburn man David Jefferson, 45, touched his male victim inappropriately during a massage last year, Preston Crown Court heard.

He was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for two years, and was given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Jefferson, who pleaded guilty at a hearing last month, was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community work.

Joe Allman, prosecuting, told the court how the victim booked an appointment with Jefferson, of Alpine Grove, after coming across an online advert for Bronzed Bhudda Massage firm.

Mr Allman said: “The victim had ongoing problems with his back and regularly saw a masseur.

“When his regular masseur couldn’t see him, he contacted the defendant by phone to arrange a deep tissue massage.”

Once the victim arrived, he had a shower, but afterwards Jefferson asked him to remove his ‘Speedo-style swimwear’.

The victim did not question this, Mr Allman said, because: “He saw certificates on the wall which looked genuine.”

Minutes into the massage, the sexual assault took place, leaving the victim ‘shocked and scared’.

Afterwards, Jefferson sent numerous text messages to the victim, including one which read: “Sorry for getting carried away, but you have a body to die for.”

Keith Harrison, defending, said Jefferson, now an assistant manager for a retail firm, was a man of previous good character with no offences to his name, but had ‘crossed the line fleetingly’ on this occasion.

Sentencing, Judge Anthony Russell QC, said: “The victim was very embarrassed and, to some extent, distressed.”

Jefferson will be prevented from working with children and has been struck off by the Federation of Holistic Therapists.