Editor's note: Body Kneadz Therapeutic Massage and Wellness Center remains open. An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that it had closed.

Superior Court Judge John M. Newson sentenced massage therapist Joseph L. Baribeau today to six months in prison for sexually assaulting a client during a treatment at his East Lyme business in January 2014.

A jury in New London found the 63-year-old Niantic resident guilty of fourth-degree sexual assault following a trial in May.

Baribeau, who had no prior criminal record, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs to begin serving his sentence, which will be followed by three years of probation.

Baribeau will not be required to register as a sexual offender, but while on probation is prohibited from seeking restoration of his massage therapy license, which he surrendered voluntarily.

According to testimony at the trial, Baribeau touched the woman sexually while massaging her legs on Jan. 8, 2014, at his business, Body Kneadz Therapeutic Massage and Wellness Center in Flanders Plaza.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Theresa Anne Ferryman, who had prosecuted the case, said she had no insight into the "why" of the incident and noted there was no animosity or bad blood between the victim and Baribeau prior to its occurrence.

The victim and Baribeau had a longstanding professional relationship, Ferryman said, and the victim was shocked and later outraged by the betrayal of her trust.

Ferryman did not offer a sentencing recommendation, saying she had confidence in the judge's ability to fashion an appropriate remedy. 

Defense attorney Michael A. Blanchard called on several people to speak in support of Baribeau. They described him as a hardworking and trustworthy person who would give the shirt off his back to help somebody.

Blanchard asked the judge to impose a fully suspended sentence and no sexual offender registration, noting Baribeau has already lost everything he worked for his entire life.

The judge said the case was different from many others that had come before him.

"We have a man who, by all accounts has had no trouble in the world, is an upstanding citizen and successful businessman," Newson said.

Newson, who had received reports indicating Baribeau was considered a low risk for reoffending, did not order Baribeau to register as a sexual offender, but said that prison time is appropriate.

He said there was no greater violation of a woman than the one Baribeau had committed and that Baribeau could have faced a more serious charge.

Baribeau's life and the life of the victim have been modified forever, Newson said.

"Baribeau's life changed solely because of decisions and choices he made," the judge said. "The victim had no choice."

The victim said after the sentencing that she was grateful Baribeau would be serving time, but frustrated he had not expressed remorse.

She had hesitated to report the assault, but said she was thinking about her two daughters and preventing Baribeau from violating others.

She thanked the people who had helped her through the process and left the courthouse with her family members.

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN