A self-described holistic energy healer who sexually assaulted two vulnerable women before fleeing Australia has been sentenced to prison.

Helio Taiyang Matahari, 63 — who has used at least five aliases — appeared in Brisbane District Court on Friday after being extradited back to Australia for sentencing.

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Matahari pleaded guilty to rape and two counts of sexual assault, nearly eight years after the offences first occurred.

The court heard that in December 2017, Matahari violated the trust of a 20-year-old woman who had sought him out for holistic therapy after being introduced through her family.

Her mother had also consulted him for kinesiology treatments.

Matahari raped the woman during a session, exploiting her vulnerability and disguising his actions as part of her treatment, the court was told.

“She was already feeling quite uneasy … and you progressed with touching her under the guise of therapy,” Judge Deborah Richards said during sentencing.

The victim delivered a powerful and emotional statement in court, supported by her father.

“I never in my life felt so small, so powerless, so utterly violated, as I did from the assault itself and the days that followed,” she said.

“But the impacts aren’t just consigned to what happened on the day.

It’s about the seven years that have followed — seven long years of waiting, hoping, and having to constantly relive the assault without the ability to finally let it go.”

A second woman came forward in 2018, alleging she too had been sexually assaulted by Matahari.

In April 2021, Matahari pleaded guilty to the charges involving both women. However, before sentencing could take place, he withdrew his plea and fled Australia, travelling to Thailand in December 2021.

He remained overseas until he was deported to Australia and extradited from New South Wales to Brisbane earlier this year.

Appearing in court on Friday, Matahari was also charged with breach of bail, to which he was arraigned that same day.

“You had to be dragged back,” Judge Richards said pointedly during sentencing.

The Crown prosecutor described Matahari’s conduct as “predatory and opportunistic sexual offending committed against two vulnerable women which continued undeterred.”

In his defence, Matahari’s lawyers cited an extensive work history across various fields and submitted character references that praised his integrity.

But Judge Richards dismissed the portrayal:

“You don’t have integrity when you run away from your charges and leave victims hanging while you’re basically hiding from the law,” she said.

“It’s extraordinary people would speak of him in these terms if they knew what he’d done.”

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, visit 1800RESPECT.org.au or contact the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.