Health spa owner sent series of messages to alleged sexual assault victim

A health spa owner accused of sexually assaulting a man during an unwanted massage later sent him a message that said: "I was only trying to have a laugh with you," a court has heard.

Kerry Brocklebank, 43, admits she was "a little bit tipsy" and dressed in a swimming costume when she rubbed the keen runner's lower leg.

But she denies claims she touched his thighs, lower back and shoulders as he waited for a sports massage from therapist Henry Godfree.

Brocklebank, who owned and lived in the Huntingdon Spa and UK Sports Massage, in Cambridgeshire, was asked about a series of messages sent to the alleged victim after the incident on October 11 last year.

Cambridge Crown Court heard one read "I shouldn't mix business with pleasure," another said "please forgive me," while Brocklebank wrote in a third: "I was only trying to have a laugh with you".

Prosecutor Stephen Mather asked Brocklebank: "It suggests some sort of jokey banter, flirtatious involvement?" She replied: "No, it was just me trying to smooth things over, to stop things going any further and causing problems for me."

Brocklebank denies sexual assault, an alternative charge of battery, and perverting the course of justice by sending "offensive and threatening electronic communications" to Mr Godfree between October 10 and November 2 last year.

The alleged messages included: "Sorry, did I interrupt your gay time?" and: "Believe me, if this goes to court I will ruin the pair of you". The prosecutor suggested they were sent to frighten Mr Godfree and the alleged victim into dropping the case.

But Brocklebank said: "I was informing him if he tries to tell lies about me, I will tell the truth... and expose him." She earlier wept under cross-examination, insisting: "I'm the victim here," adding: "You know the truth, you must do."