IAN ROPER AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ABUSE IN YORKSHIRE
A licensed hypnotherapist from Yorkshire has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after committing a disturbing sexual assault under the guise of his professional skills.Ian Roper, aged 58, was found guilty of coercing a female victim into sexual activities while under what he manipulated her to believe was a hypnotic trance.
According to court reports, Roper instructed the woman to disrobe, all the while convincing her that she was lying on a tanning sunbed and applying sun cream to her body.
This manipulation took place during a session that blurred the lines between therapy and assault.
The Bradford Crown Court heard that after the woman regained consciousness, Roper made an effort to re-hypnotize her, aiming to conceal the events that had transpired.
Despite initially denying the allegations, claiming they were fabricated, Roper ultimately pleaded guilty during the trial.
The court sentenced Roper to a 29-month imprisonment, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.
During the investigation, authorities also discovered multiple indecent images on his laptop, including five featuring children in explicit contexts and one that was classified as a prohibited image.
Roper admitted to possessing these illegal images of minors.
The presiding judge, Recorder David Gordon, condemned Roper’s motives, describing his interests as driven by ‘selfish and sexual’ desires.
In addition to his prison sentence, the court mandated that Roper must register as a sex offender for the next ten years.
A restraining order was also issued, prohibiting him from approaching the victim or engaging in any further contact.
Furthermore, Roper was subjected to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order that includes restrictions on his ability to work in roles related to hypnotherapy.
The judge highlighted the breach of trust inherent in Roper’s misconduct and underscored the severity of the assault, especially considering the vulnerability of the victim.
Addressing the court, Recorder Gordon stated that although the victim did not suffer serious physical injuries, she endured significant psychological trauma.
He emphasized that this type of offending not only betrays professional ethics but also causes lasting harm to those affected, reinforcing the importance of accountability for such actions.
