Self-styled guru accused of raping seven women in UK

London, Apr 9(ANI): A self-styled guru, Michael Lyons, who claims to have worked with the Dalai Lama, raped seven women in UK after seducing them with his luxurious lifestyle over a ten-year period, a court was told.

Lyons, who used the name Mohan Singh, had a penthouse apartment in London and was driven around in Bentley and Mercedes cars.

The Wood Green Crown Court heard how he surrounded himself with "young, charming" women, who told others that he could change their lives.

Jurors were told that Lyons would ply the new recruits with drinks that made them drowsy before burning mysterious herbs to explain what he was doing.e would then give his victims acupuncture or massages before raping and sexually assaulting them, the court was told.

Prosecutor Philip Katz said the alleged victims were all vulnerable women and were sucked into Lyons' group, reassured by the presence of other females.

"He is a sexual predator masquerading as a guru and a healer. He has for many years now been at the centre of a group of followers, overwhelmingly women, some of whom have been part of his circle for many years," The Times quoted Katz, as saying.

"The prosecution allege that this group has actually been operating as a kind of cult. Some of the existing members were actually actively helping to create opportunities for this defendant to take sexual advantage of new recruits," he added.

The alleged assaults began with an American backpacker in July 1998 and finished in July 2008. (ANI)