Description
An osteopath has been convicted of seeking sexual gratification by molesting seven male patients.
Keith Grieve, 58, of Inverness, was placed on the sex offenders' register after being found guilty of assaulting patients at a clinic in the city.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood found him guilty on seven counts of sexual assault at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Grieve had denied the charges and claimed he was the victim of a vendetta from a rival professional.
Sheriff Fleetwood found two charges not proven, while another was dropped by the Crown during the 15-day trial.
The court had heard how police were finally contacted by one patient who had concerns about the osteopath's work with teenage footballers bidding to join professional teams in the Highlands.
I do find these offences had a significant sexual content
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood
Once one victim had come forward, a series of others followed.
Grieve had originally been accused of sexually assaulting 10 men by removing their underwear without their permission and molesting them.
Sheriff Fleetwood said a prison sentence was not uppermost in his mind, but it was not being ruled out until he considered a social inquiry report.
He told Grieve: "I do find these offences had a significant sexual content. I am going to call for background reports because you are a 58-year-old first offender.
"Having been convicted, you are now subject to the sex offenders' register. You must notify the police of your address within three days."
Sentence was deferred until 25 March.
Earlier, the court heard how Grieve had lost his business after the case came to court.