A hypnotherapist convicted of sex attacks on female clients has been jailed for five years.

Stephen Dyer, 50, of Folkestone, had denied four charges of sexual activity by a careworker on a person with a mental disorder, two deception allegations and one charge of sexual assault between 2004 and 2006.

A further deception charge was withdrawn on the judge’s direction.

Dyer was originally arrested on January 31, last year, after officers received a report that he had sexually assaulted a woman in her twenties.

The woman had gone to him for treatment at his offices in Hawks Lane, Canterbury.

The allegation sparked an extensive investigation by officers working in the Public Protection Unit at Canterbury who began to uncover a series of offences.

Sentencing Dyer, Judge Adele Williams told him that he treated his patients with "callous indifference."

After the sentencing Det Sgt Emma Atkins commented: "Stephen Dyer is a calculating man who preyed on women's vulnerabilities for his own sexual gratification.

"He used his training as a hypnotherapist and psychotherapist to groom his clients, gain their confidence and abuse their trust in the worst possible way.

"We only hope that those that have suffered at his hands can now find the professional help they deserve, although for some the road to recovery will be difficult as they and their families will have to learn to trust another therapist.

"We would also like to thank the victims and witnesses who came forward and those that gave evidence for the purpose of preventing Stephen Dyer from manipulating and abusing the trust of any other client."

Dyer, of Dover Road, Folkestone, was also given a Sexual Offenders Prevention Order that stops him from being able to work as a hypnotherapist, psychotherapist or counsellor.

He must sign onto the sex offenders register for life.