A man described in UK court proceedings as being “from the Maldives” has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually assaulting a famous singer and actress during a massage appointment in central London. However, his name — Sundaralingam Koodalingam — does not align with Maldivian naming conventions, raising questions over the accuracy of the reported nationality.
The assault occurred on March 29, 2023, at the Rupert Jade Thai Massage parlour in Soho, where the victim, a well-known actress whose identity remains protected, was groped during what was supposed to be a professional therapy session.
Koodalingam, 36, was convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court of sexual assault and assault by penetration. Despite maintaining his innocence, he was handed a four-year custodial sentence and ordered to serve at least two-thirds of the term.
In emotional testimony, the victim described how the ordeal left her devastated and fearful. “This man has taken away my trust, my innocence, and my ability to feel safe around strangers” she stated, recounting her struggle with panic attacks and the long-term impact on her personal and professional life.
The court was told that Koodalingam moved to the UK in 2021 on a visa sponsored by a company based in the Cotswolds. However, his nationality came under scrutiny, as his name does not correspond with naming patterns used in Maldivian identity documents or passports. To this hour, no confirmation has been provided by Maldivian authorities regarding any link between the individual and the Maldives.
Koodalingam’s defence argued that prison life would be especially difficult for him due to language barriers and his lack of prior criminal history. Nevertheless, the judge emphasized the serious nature of the crime, calling it a “frightening and terrifying ordeal.”
The case has sparked renewed calls in the UK for tighter regulation of wellness and massage establishments, while also raising concerns about the due diligence of immigration sponsorship systems.
