Michael Sergides of Clyde North and Berwick, also trading as ‘Mobile Just Massage’, was yesterday sentenced to more than five years jail following his conviction in the County Court earlier this year. Mr Sergides had previously been found guilty on one count of sexual assault and one count of rape. 

Following the receipt of information from Victoria Police, Health Complaints Commissioner, Karen Cusack commenced an investigation into Mr Sergides in September 2018 and issued orders against him and his business banning him from providing any general health services, including massage services, in Victoria, as well as banning him from advertising, offering or providing any general health services, paid or otherwise, in a clinical or non-clinical capacity.   

Ms Cusack said, “I do not make prohibition orders lightly, but where unsafe or unethical general health service providers pose a risk to the Victorian public, then I will take action. In cases such as this where Victoria Police are conducting enquiries into alleged criminal matters, we will liaise closely with the Police to ensure the health matters and the code of conduct breaches the subject of our investigation and prohibition orders do not impact on the Police investigation”, she said.    

“This conviction and the sentence imposed by the Court reinforces how important our work is when we see unethical and unsafe health service providers being held accountable for unlawful actions. The safety of Victorians is my number one priority and I will continue to investigate and, where appropriate, impose prohibition orders on those general health service providers who do the wrong thing and put the Victorian public at risk.  

“We rely on community members to come forward with their concerns so that we are aware of possible breaches of the code. We can then work independently and impartially to establish the facts and understand what measures, if any should be taken, to protect the public’.  

“I encourage the public to check our website at hcc.vic.gov.au to make themselves aware of providers who are subject to prohibition orders under the Health Complaints Act.   

“If you become aware of a provider practising despite being issued with a prohibition order please contact the HCC on 1300 582 113.”  

ENDS