LEON TOMASSO AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN NORWICH AND WYMONDHAM
A professional sports massage therapist from Wymondham has been sentenced to prison after admitting to sexually assaulting two women under his care.Leon Tomasso, aged 35 and a resident of Papillion Road, Wymondham, appeared before Kings Lynn Crown Court on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, where he received a four-year prison sentence for his crimes.
The defendant had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by penetration during an earlier court hearing, acknowledging his wrongdoing in these serious offenses.
The court was informed of how the assaults took place in late 2019, with the first incident occurring in Wymondham during a sports massage session.
On November 19, 2019, Tomasso assaulted his first victim, a woman who regularly received massages at a clinic in Acle.
The victim recounted to officers that during this session, Tomasso had engaged in inappropriate behavior; she challenged him immediately afterward.
During their exchange, he admitted to misreading her signals and stated, “I’m sorry, it was my male urges that took over.
It won’t happen again.” The following day, Tomasso targeted a second woman during a massage at a gym in Norwich.
She recalled to police how he justified the assault by claiming it was part of a relaxation routine, saying he believed she would find it enjoyable.
When she challenged his actions, he confided in her that he knew he had overstepped boundaries and that his emotions had taken control.
Both women acted swiftly in reporting their experiences to Norfolk Police, leading to Tomasso’s arrest at his home address in Wymondham on November 21, 2019.
He was taken to the Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, then released on police bail pending charges.
As part of their Victim Personal Statements, both women detailed the long-lasting impact the assaults had on their lives.
The first victim shared her emotional distress, recalling how she sobbed uncontrollably and struggled to communicate her trauma to her husband.
She expressed how her trust in others has been significantly compromised and how she now lives with a pervasive sense of mistrust and fear of misinterpretation.
She stated, “Tomasso has changed me.
I now find myself filled with mistrust, wary of men's intentions and fearful of being nice in case it’s misconstrued, and I hope that I will eventually come to terms with what happened, but the impact on me and my life cannot be underestimated.” The second victim’s statement described her feelings of violation and profound disappointment, emphasizing her expectations of safety and respect which were shattered by her attacker.
She expressed the emotional toll the ordeal has taken over the past two and a half years, affecting not only her but also her family and fiancé.
Despite not explicitly mentioning her loved ones in her statement, her distress was evident through her description of sleepless nights and anxiety.
She summarized her experience by saying, “I have become jaded and suspicious of people, and that trust in others can be so easily broken.” Det Chief Constable Hollie Blaker, who spearheaded the investigation, remarked on the courage of the victims, noting, “The victims will never forget what happened, but I hope today’s sentence brings some closure to their ordeal.
I thank them for their bravery in coming forward and their resilience throughout the past two-and-a-half years in supporting this case.
They have been unwavering in their support, even after so much time has passed since the incidents.
Their bravery has been instrumental in ensuring justice.” Blaker emphasized that Tomasso’s actions exploited the trust placed in him by vulnerable women seeking help and relief.
His conduct not only inflicted physical harm but also caused lasting psychological scars.
The court’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability, and the community’s protection from individuals who abuse their positions of trust.
This case underscores the serious consequences of such misconduct, highlighting the importance of vigilance and reporting by victims to ensure justice is served and offenders are properly prosecuted.
