NSW physio jailed for sexual assaults

By Angelo Risso

A NSW Central Coast physiotherapist who indecently assaulted six patients has been sentenced to at least three and a half years in prison.

Youngjin Jung, 36, pleaded guilty to a string of indecent assault offences after inappropriately touching female clients at the Umina Beach practice where he worked in mid-2014.

He was acquitted in February of one count of sexual assault.

"The conduct was not in any way related to therapeutic treatment," Judge Clive Jeffreys said in handing down his sentence at Sydney District Court on Wednesday.

"It was undertaken by the offender for sexual gratification.

"In my view he seriously abused the trust placed in him."

The court heard Jung, a married father-of-two from South Korea, massaged the breasts, pubic bone area and genitals of his victims while treating them, often saying it would assist them in their recoveries.

"Your muscles are tight due to injury," he said to one victim with a hand planted on each of her breasts.

He asked another victim if she would like a private "full body massage" for $50, and whether she had recently "had fun" with any men.

For another, he held his finger against her pubic bone as she was asked to perform pelvic floor exercises.

In victim impact statements, Jung's patients said they felt numb and scared as a result of his actions.

One "cried her eyes out" after a session in which Jung massaged her breasts and touched her genitals.

"Patients obtaining treatment have to trust healthcare professionals," Judge Jeffreys said.

"Most patients would understandably feel it was against their interests to not follow orders."

The judge said Jung's position of trust as a physiotherapist necessitated "stern retribution".

He said he did not believe Jung's mental health problems at the time, brought on by extreme stress and work commitments, contributed to his offending.

Jung had been working up to 80 hours a week and caring for his pregnant wife when he committed the offences.

"I'm really sorry to all six ladies and their families," Jung said at his sentencing hearing in late February.

"I want to apologise for what I did. There's no excuse about it."

Judge Jeffreys handed down a five-year jail sentence, with a non-parole period of three and a half years.

Jung, who wept silently during Wednesday's sentencing, will be eligible for parole in August 2019.