Alain Bhatupa has been jailed for nine years

Television preacher groped devout Christians after luring them through adverts on Religious Wonderful TV

A self-claimed ‘spiritual healer’ and television preacher who sexually assaulted two devout Christians who had sought treatment has been jailed for nine years.

Alain Bhatupa, 37, groped his victims when they visited his office in Crown House, North Circular Road, Alperton, in August last year.

Bhatupa, who called himself ‘The Prophet Alain’, had advertised himself as a spiritual healer on religious satellite channel Religious Wonderful TV.

Harrow Crown Court heard Bhatupa’s first victim was a 61-year-old woman who suffered with severe back pain.

Bhatupa examined her, sexually assaulted her, and then asked for a financial ‘offering’ of more than £500.

Last September, a second victim, a 40-year-old woman, told police she was sexually assaulted while seeking treatment for foot inflammation.

He also asked her for a financial ‘offering’ totalling around £600.

Police raided Bhatupa’s offices in Alperton and Upper Edmonton, north London, where they seized telephone records, medical swabs and CCTV which linked the victims to the address and him.

He was charged with three counts of digital penetration and two counts of sexual assault and convicted of all charges last week.

Detective Sergeant Peter Walker, from Operation Sapphire, the Met’s specialist team that investigates sex crimes, said: “Bhatupa platformed himself and his bogus healing techniques on satellite television by targeting devout Christian viewers.

“He used his position of trust and his television credibility to go on and sexually assault women behind closed doors. It is possible that there are further victims who have been affected by the actions of Bhatupa, and I urge them to come forward and speak to us.”

Anyone who believes that they were a victim of Bhatupa should call the Sapphire Unit at Brent on 020 8733 3718.