A once respected “spiritual healer” jailed for sexually assaulting several female clients will be released from prison in a fortnight under strict conditions.

The Parole Board has granted Sonny Hang Chin, now 67, an early release following a hearing last month in which it remained unclear whether the “Dunedin Massage Master” of 30 years accepted his offending.

According to the board’s publicly released decision, Chin did not deny it when directly asked and acknowledged he touched the victims in the manner they described and the harm he caused.

But he maintained it had been a part of the healing process he was carrying out.

“There was a clear lack of insight by Mr Chin in acknowledging that to touch females in their private parts, without forewarning, is not acceptable even if it is part of a [withheld] treatment regime,” panel convenor Judge Louis Bidois said in the decision.

“Mr Chin did review his processes after being charged with these offences. But as stated earlier, he has now retired.”

Chin had told the board that because of his convictions, he would be retiring and would not deliver any services in the future.

However, his website, which describes him as the Dunedin Massage Master, currently remains active.

Sonny Hang Chin's former premises in the Dunedin suburb of Mornington. Photo / Google Streetview

In June 2023, Chin was jailed for three years and three months after a jury found him guilty of 10 charges of indecent assault following a trial in Dunedin District Court earlier that year.

He was sentenced for sexually assaulting seven female clients over 13 years, with the conduct having continued even after police had warned him in 2016.

His pattern of offending included questioning women about their sexual history and telling victims they had repressed experiences of sexual abuse as he assaulted them.

When Chin spoke with police following two initial complaints, he denied any sexual touching but accepted his work was not “best practice”.

“I’m not there to be a sexual pervert. I’m not like that in my work. My work is strictly professional,” he said.

Chin became eligible for parole in April but was considered an undue risk at the time and denied release.

At the earlier hearing, he continued to deny any sexual element to the offending and repeatedly stated he accepted he was found guilty and would do his sentence.

The board had concerns about his safety plan and that Chin would continue to practise, noting he was operating within a therapeutic trusting environment without any oversight from a formal organisation.

However, at the recent hearing, the board accepted his plan to retire and discussed how as a low-risk offender he would not be provided treatment or access to any programmes in prison. He also has no reintegration needs.

The decision, which emphasised the significant effects Chin’s offending has had on his victims, stated that a release on parole would require him to at least attend a community-based programme for sexual matters and to get counselling.

It noted he was motivated to undertake such a programme, and his family remained supportive of him and would ensure he did not practise again.

“Given that background, with the implementation of stringent conditions including to attend the [programme], the board considers that any perceived risk can be mitigated, and Mr Chin will be granted parole,” the decision stated.

Chin would be released from prison on January 28, allowing time for a reintegration hui, for victims to be notified and his community-based treatment to be arranged.

Several special conditions were imposed and will remain in place until his statutory release date of June 22 next year.

Conditions included that Chin was not to enter Dunedin, he was to submit to electronic monitoring, and he was not to possess or use any electronic device capable of accessing the internet or social media.

He would also have to complete the programme and was not to work without the prior approval of a probation officer.

Tara Shaskey joined NZME in 2022 as a news director and Open Justice reporter. She has been a reporter since 2014 and previously worked at Stuff covering crime and justice, arts and entertainment, and Māori issues.