Purnoor Bawa, a physiotherapist based in Gravesend, was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting several female patients over a five-year period.
Bawa abused his position as a healthcare professional by sexually assaulting female clients during treatment sessions from 2013 to 2018. He manipulated victims into removing clothing for so-called “treatment” that was never necessary.
In December 2018, Kent Police were called to Bawa’s clinic following a complaint from a woman who reported an inappropriate massage while being treated for an ankle injury. At that time, Bawa was not allowed to work unaccompanied as he was already under investigation by the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service, which later banned him from practising.
Following his arrest and subsequent police investigations, five women had come forward by April 2023 with allegations against Bawa. Further inquiries and evidence collection enabled police to charge him. After a police press release, two additional victims also came forward.
On 14 June 2024, Bawa, aged 44, was convicted on eight counts of sexual assault at Woolwich Crown Court and sentenced to six years in prison.
Detective Constable Peter Hylands commented, “Purnoor Bawa manipulated and groomed his victims, making them think his actions were justified when in reality he was taking advantage of them for his own depraved ends. With no CCTV, independent witnesses, or other evidence, it was the courage and strength of the victims that secured this conviction. Bawa is unfit to practice and a danger to women—he belongs behind bars.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
