PHILIP SHERWIN'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN LEICESTER: HYPNOTIST JAILED FOR SEX ABUSE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Leicester community, hypnotherapist Philip Sherwin, aged 47, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of serious sexual offences and possessing a vast collection of indecent images of children.The offences came to light following a detailed investigation that uncovered the extent of Sherwin's misconduct, which involved exploiting a vulnerable young woman under his care.
According to court records, Sherwin had engaged in a series of inappropriate and criminal acts against a 19-year-old patient between April and July 2010.
The victim, who initially sought his help for anxiety issues, was subjected to a traumatic experience after Sherwin hypnotized her on two separate occasions.
During these sessions, he gained her trust by successfully hypnotizing her to address her anxiety, but then manipulated her in a way that led to sexual assault.
The court heard that Sherwin instructed her to remove her trousers so he could 'remove the energy' from her legs, a bizarre and inappropriate request that culminated in him touching her intimately.
The incident was recorded on video, and photographs were also taken, further evidencing his misconduct.
Despite the victim's initial trust and feeling of comfort during the sessions, she later realized that something was profoundly wrong.
Her suspicions prompted her to report Sherwin to the police.
It was only after law enforcement officers examined Sherwin’s computer in July 2010 that they discovered the footage of the assault along with a staggering collection of over 40,000 indecent images of children.
These images ranged across multiple levels of severity, with 42,437 at level one, 137 at level two, 28 at level three, 74 at level four, and one at the most severe level five.
The court was told that Sherwin had also engaged in inappropriate communication with the victim prior to the assault, emailing her to ask her not to tell anyone about their sessions.
He attempted to reassure her that feeling sexually aroused was normal, which further highlights his manipulative approach.
An expert in hypnotherapy described Sherwin’s conduct as “irregular in the extreme,” noting that his training was minimal—just a one-week course and a two-day seminar—raising concerns about the lack of proper regulation within the profession.
At Leicester Crown Court, Judge Simon Hammond condemned Sherwin’s actions, emphasizing that as a medical practitioner, he had exploited the trust placed in him by his patient.
The judge stated, “He groomed her and created a situation where he could touch her and exploit her vulnerable state and filmed the abuse.” The court also heard that Sherwin’s behavior was a gross breach of professional standards, and his actions had caused lasting trauma to the victim, who suffered from depression afterward and was unable to attend university due to her distress.
In addition to his prison sentence, Sherwin was subjected to a restraining order that prohibits any contact with the victim.
He was also banned from working with children in the future, and his computer use will be closely monitored.
Furthermore, he will be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years.
The judge expressed concern over the lack of regulation and formal training for hypnotherapists, which can allow individuals with minimal qualifications to practice in the field.
During the hearing, Claire Robinson, representing Sherwin, stated that he had left his previous job in printing to pursue hypnotherapy in 2007 and that he has not practiced since his arrest.
Robinson also mentioned that Sherwin’s partner of eight years remains supportive of him and that he is deeply ashamed of his actions, expressing a desire to seek treatment for his behavior.
Despite these mitigating factors, the court’s verdict underscores the severity of Sherwin’s crimes and the profound breach of trust involved in his misconduct in Leicester.
