News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Christian cult leader treated women for depression by encouraging them to breastfeed from her and suckle "mummy's milk," a court heard.

Vanessa Clark, a psychotherapist who was recommended by fellow Christians, charged clients thousands of pounds for "skin to skin" contact.

The 63-year-old was today jailed for four years for the series of bizarre indecent assaults on women, which she had claimed were approved by a priest to heal depression.

Prosecutor Henry James told Oxford Crown Court that the "unusual and troubling" offences took place between 1996 and 2001 when the defendant invited two vulnerable clients back to a flat in London to perform her "therapy."

"In 1996 one of the victims had been struggling to come to terms with abuse she had suffered in the past and was recommended Ms Clark through a church connection," Mr James said.

"This amounted to an intense and personal series of sessions in which the victim was required to regress back to her childhood.

"Her hands and legs became fidgety and she was told that this was her body 'trying to get mother to lactate.'

(Image: PA)

"Ms Clark then asked her client, 'does baby want some milk?' She then guided her victim towards her breasts who took them into her mouth."

On another occasion, the same victim was encouraged to revert her mind back to this childhood state again, before Clark took off her top and said, "have some mummy milk."

The court heard that the victim then felt paralysed and compelled to comply with the "sadistic" demands.

Clark, dressed in dark purple woollen coat and burgundy scarf, sat silently shaking her head as the court heard of her unorthodox and sadistic practise.

A second victim, who came to Clark after suffering from depression, was encouraged to imagine Biblical imagery in the form of the story of Adam and Eve.

Mr James said: "The victim began to develop an intense relationship with the defendant during their once a week sessions, which she welcomed.

"The assaults began when Clark massaged the woman's back and over her bra, before she undid the bra.

"The woman became sexually aroused and Ms Clark reassured her this was her 'inner baby' coming out and 'she needed this.'

"Ms Clark would then massage the woman's foot before pushing her own foot into the victims groin. Clark would then press her own groin against the victim when she greeted her."

Clark's offending came to light when her partner of seven years contacted one of the victims and said she had become frightened by her conversation of rape, murder and torture.

Power-tripping Clark disclosed the abuse she had subjected her victims to in a sinister handwritten letter to her female partner which spoke of grooming and deception.

The letter, read to the court, said: "I was grooming them to get power over them.

"I set out to get under their skin so they would become fixated on me.

"I would breastfeed my clients and on one occasion took off my top before [the victim] consented, and told her it was a special thing I would do only for her.

"It was entirely deceptive and manipulative.

"I made them envision extremely violent visualisations of torture.

"When [the victim] wanted to stop I insisted on going on.

"I gave no thought to her or her vulnerability.

"I subjected her to my sadistic desires.

"I exerted great will and domination over her."

Clients were referred to Clark by the leader of a Christian cult, which she had once been the leader of herself.

It was not known where the cult was based or how many people were involved.

The court heard that Clark charged clients thousands of pounds over time to carry out the twisted "skin to skin" methods which she claimed had been approved by a priest who had long since died.

Adrian Amer, defending, said that the defendant had recognised she had committed the offences, despite her being diagnosed with an incurable personality disorder.

"It is incredible that offences dating so far back have come into the light of day because of the actions of the defendant herself," Mr Amer said.

"She does genuinely show remorse for the offences she has caused, and she tells me she has absolutely nothing to do with being the leader of this cult any more.

"I would describe this a cathartic episode in her life.

"The effect of these offences will hang over her head like a Damocles sword, and will prevent her from doing anything like this ever again."

Clark, of New Yatt, Oxon, admitted six counts of indecent assault on August 10 this year.

Judge Ian Pringle, sentencing her to four years in prison, said: "You have for many years practised as a psychotherapist.

"It is clear from the letters I have read that for many people you have provided a valuable service.

"However, in 1996 you encountered a lady who you began to have a sexual relationship with in the sense that during the course of sessions, for which she paid well, you began to breastfeed her.

"You exposed your breasts and asked her if she wanted "mummy's milk."

"These vulnerable victims of course went along with it.

"They deeply regret being manipulated by you in their vulnerable state.

"These offences were repetitive through the mid to late 90s.

"You then met another woman who you sexually aroused by putting your foot in her groin.

"The really aggravating feature is that you were wholly abusing your position of trust as a psychotherapist.

"I have read much about you, and a doctor has come to the conclusion that you suffer from a personality disorder.

"As a result you lack empathy and it makes you manipulative."

Clark was jailed for four years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

She was also placed on the sex offenders' register for the rest of her life.