A martial arts instructor has been cleared by a jury of indecently assaulting one of his Tai Chi students.

After the jury unanimously found Tom Cooney not guilty he left the court to embrace his wife, waiting anxiously outside for the verdict.

During his trial Mr Cooney, 47, admitted molesting the 25-year-old student, but claimed she gave full consent after a lesson in Tai Chi, a relaxation and self-defence technique.

Mr Cooney maintained that he and the woman, a mother of two, appeared to be attracted to each other and met up after a Tai Chi class in the Trinity Methodist Church hall, Argyll Road, Westcliff.

However, the woman claimed Mr Cooney read the wrong signals and she did not give him permission for a sexual encounter.

She told the jury she believed she was being treated for depression by Mr Cooney in a session called Reiki, a hands-on Japanese healing process.

The woman told how the situation became too much hands on as they laid together on cushions spread out on the church hall floor. She said she left the hall amid apologies from Mr Cooney and returned home to her loving husband.

Mr Cooney, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff, later confessed to making a serious mistake and for betraying his wife following 20 years of marriage.

After his evidence a succession of defence witnesses claimed that on the evening in question the woman arrived for Tai Chi wearing a skimpy knee-length skirt.

Fellow student James Redgate told the jury at Basildon Crown Court: "I remember her wearing a short skirt because it shocked me. It was not an appropriate thing to wear for a Tai Chi class."

Another class member, former JP Dave Windle, said: "The woman arrived late, was on her own and wearing a short skirt. I thought it was unusual because most of us wear tracksuit clothing."

Mr Cooney insisted his actions had nothing to do with Reiki and said he put his hands on the woman for foreplay.

He went on: "She did not pull my hand away. She just laid there and said I do not normally do this sort of thing. I said, neither do I."

Mr Cooney, a man of good character, added: "I admit I touched her, but it was not indecent assault. I thought she had consented."

The ex-customs and excise officer said he was still working as a Tai Chi instructor and felt he had the support of family and friends.

Cleared - Tom Cooney

Fact file

Tom Cooney is a member of the British Council of Martial Arts and is the local branch instructor of the San Chai Tai Chi Academy

He runs a group called Inner Balance which organises classes around the Southend area which uses Tai Chi for health and relaxation

Tom also organises one day self defence workshops specially designed to teach women how to fend for themselves and fight off attackers

He was seriously concerned last year when serial sex attacker Richard Baker was prowling the streets of Southend attacking women

He explained that when someone is attacked, they should not just fight for their life but their sanity as well.

The first rule of self defence is never put yourself in danger and make sure you are aware of the situations and the environment.

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