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Calgary police charge massage therapist with assault of client

CALGARY — Police in Calgary have charged a massage therapist with assaulting a client almost two years ago. They say the woman had a session booked in her home in January 2023.
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Police vehicles at Calgary Police Service headquarters in Calgary on April 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CALGARY — Police in Calgary have charged a massage therapist with assaulting a client almost two years ago.

They say the woman had a session booked in her home in January 2023.

Police allege that during the massage, the therapist choked the woman until she was unconscious.

The woman contacted police a few days later.

Further investigation led police to believe the therapist had been practising with an expired licence since 2015.

A 61-year-old man has been charged with one count of assault by choking.

Lev Borstov is to appear in court on Jan. 8, and investigators are looking to speak to people he treated between May 2015 and January 2023.

"Our efforts to investigate assaults depend on strong community support. Even small details can significantly impact an investigation," police said in a news release Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 2, 2025.

The Canadian Press