Warning: This article contains details related to sexual assault and may not be suitable for all readers.
A Victoria massage practitioner who was convicted of several sexual assaults is now challenging the outcome of his case.
The BC Court of Appeal has agreed to appoint a lawyer for Ajesh Jacob who was convicted of multiple sexual assaults connected to his work as a massage practitioner in Victoria.
He was convicted in December 2024 of five counts of sexual assault involving clients at a Big Feet massage location in Victoria. He was later sentenced to two years less a day in custody, followed by three years of probation.
Jacob, who is currently incarcerated, is appealing both his conviction and sentence.
He asked the Court of Appeal to appoint counsel, arguing he cannot afford a lawyer and intends to raise issues including alleged interpretation errors during his trial and delays that occurred before the case was heard.
He also plans to challenge how the trial judge assessed witness credibility and to argue that the sentence did not properly consider possible immigration consequences.
In a decision released November 24th, Justice Griffin found the case was complex enough—and Jacob’s circumstances difficult enough—that legal representation is necessary for the appeal to proceed fairly.
The judge noted the trial involved nine complainants, multiple interpretation challenges, and a mistrial before it ultimately resumed in 2024.
While the court acknowledged Jacob faces significant hurdles in advancing his arguments, it concluded that his appeal is not without the possibility of success.
There was no opposition to the appointment and agreed that Jacob lacks the financial means to retain counsel.
As a result, the court ordered that a lawyer be appointed to assist Jacob in both his conviction appeal and sentence appeal.
