The Crown is seeking a prison sentence for Kenneth Braun, a 70-year-old Saskatoon massage therapist convicted last November of five counts of sexual assault. The assaults involved former female clients and occurred between 2010 and 2021 in Saskatoon.
Details of the Conviction
Braun was found guilty of sexually assaulting multiple women during massage therapy sessions over an 11-year period. The court heard that the victims trusted Braun as a professional, but he violated that trust. The Crown argued that a prison sentence is necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offenses and to deter others.
Impact on Victims
Victim impact statements were read in court, describing the lasting emotional and psychological trauma caused by the assaults. One victim stated, "I trusted him as my therapist, and he used that trust to harm me. I will never feel safe in a massage therapy setting again."
Sentencing Hearing
The sentencing hearing is ongoing, with the defense arguing for a lesser sentence due to Braun's age and lack of prior criminal record. The Crown emphasized the pattern of abuse and the need for a significant custodial sentence. A date for the final sentencing decision has not yet been set.
