Sonny Chin named as masseur facing sexual assault charges

The identity of a Dunedin man accused of sexually assaulting four women can be revealed. Photo / 123rf

The identity of a Dunedin "massage master" accused of sexually assaulting four women can now be revealed.

Sonny Chin, 63, who practices alternative Chinese medicine, has had name suppression since he was first charged in February last year. But Judge David Robinson quashed the order after an application by the Crown heard at the Dunedin District Court last week.

On his website, Chin calls himself a "Qi master body technician" and even boasts a testimonial from a former All Black who says he has been treated by the defendant for three years.

Chin was originally charged with indecent assault after an alleged incident in December 2019 but since then more women have come forward to police.

The defendant now faces eight similar charges, relating to four women, stemming from alleged attacks as early as February 2016.

Chin has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has been on bail as the case has tracked through the court.

Among his conditions was one that allowed him to continue seeing female clients but only under the supervision of a chaperone.

When spoken to last year, Chin was resolute in his decision to defend the charges.

"I always say: the truth will come out," he told the Otago Daily Times.

According to his website, Chin was the founder of Hang Sun Technique after he discovered past healers and medical professionals "left one or two missing links in the puzzle".

His Qi therapy was targeted at people suffering illness, which he claimed was "brought about by genetic influences from the past and everything in our consciousness and behaviour".

The issue of suppression was rigorously argued by defence counsel Anne Stevens QC and Crown prosecutor Chris Bernhardt, but the specifics of their submissions, as well as the reasons for suppression being revoked, were suppressed by Judge Robinson.

Indecent assault carries a maximum prison term of seven years and comes with a strike under the three strikes legislation.

Chin will appear in court again in February next year with the intention a jury trial date be set.

- ODT