UK NRI Doctor, Hair expert charged with seven offences of sexual assault

London, Sep. 15, 2008
Surinder Singh

NRI doctor, Praminder Mankoo, 46, Leading hair consultant, Hairologist, of of Bicester Road, Thame, Oxfordshire has been charged with seven offences of sexual assault which are alleged to have taken place between July 2005 and June 2007 at a private clinic in Thame. He told the female victims that they needed stress relieving massages to help with their scalp problems but instead groped their breasts under the guise of 'treatment'.

The court heard that Mankoo of Thame, Berkshire, would tell women to strip to their underwear to avoid getting massage oil on their clothes. He would then rub their scalp, neck and shoulders, and reach around to touch their breasts.

The victim, Ms. Rayne Franklin, 48, of Windsor, Berkshire, said:

• In 1998, I visited his clinic in Thame, Oxfordshire to reassurance that my hair loss did not run in the family
• He began to massage my shoulders and slowly his hand crept down until he had a full hold of my breast. Then he ripped off his coat and stripped naked.
• He pushed my face into his genitals and made a disgusting comment about seeking satisfaction
• I tried to escape, but Mankoo grabbed my face and tried to drag my head down.
• He had his hands around my throat. At the end he let me go. I put my clothes back and made for the exit.
• I was terrified but I knew I couldn't confront him because the door was locked, there was no one around
• He asked for payment, and said you needed to be booked in for another appointment.
• Ms. Rayne Franklin paid the payments.

Ten years ago, Mankoo was cautioned by police and Ms. Rayne Franklin felt that it would be the end of it. I wish I had spoken publicly about it when it happened in 1998 and maybe he could have been stopped earlier. What he did to me was wrong, it was very wrong. I was scared

---------------------

More complaints:

• One woman came forward and told how Mankoo had removed her bra and also massaged her thighs and feet.
• Another woman said he had told her that her boyfriend could not help her and that he would be her 'knight in shining armour', to whom she should look to for strength.
• Mankoo asked another victim if she would like to meet his 'little friend

Chairman of the Institute of Trichologists told the court categorically that no 'massage to help circulation to the scalp should even go to the front of the shoulders, let alone the breast area'.

Mankoo's lawyer Christine Agnew said her client needed time to 'put his house in order' before sentencing.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat agreed to bail for him until next month. He can still work in Thame on the condition that he did not offer any form of massage except for the scalp and not to administer any treatment at his clinic if another female was not present.

Mankoo was told he would be placed on the the sex offenders' register. He was cleared of five further counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.

• NRI doctor, Praminder Mankoo, a Leading hair consultant, Hairologist has been charged with seven offences of sexual assault
• Mr Mankoo is married and has four children.
• Mr Praminda Mankoo has been involved in hair care for over 25 years.
• He has worked in one of London's top Hair Clinics: Masters Hair Clinic, Harrods - Hair & Beauty Salon, John Frieda and Schumi Hairdressing Salons.
• This experience has now brought him to establish, 'Hairology' a private clinic designed to give you a quality, caring, effective and professional service.

  Treatments are carried out in a relaxed atmosphere and his confidence in providing advice and solutions to hair and scalp related problems have benefited many of his clients.