A 'charlatan' psychic who sexually assaulted two women has been jailed for four years and five months. John Starkey, 74, of Rhodfa'r Grug, Upper Colwyn Bay, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court today (Friday).
The crimes
Starkey claimed to be an 'internationally renowned clairvoyant' with 40 years of experience. However, he was exposed as a sex offender after admitting charges of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault. He had boasted of appearing on major TV and radio programmes, but Judge Nicola Jones branded him a 'complete charlatan' and slammed his actions as a clear breach of trust.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard Starkey exploited his psychic sessions as a front to carry out the attacks. He was initially investigated after a woman reported being sexually assaulted by him in Wolverhampton in 2018. Several months later, he enticed the same victim to a London hotel room under the bogus pretence that other clients would be present. Once alone, he instructed her to strip naked and assaulted her, falsely claiming it was a perverted 'initiation' for 'spiritual cleansing'.
The second victim was assaulted in October 2022 while on holiday in Llandudno, said prosecutor Elen Owen. The young woman, who had an interest in clairvoyance, visited a shop where Starkey was working for a consultation. Starkey instructed her to undress and then touched her sexually. Following the assault, Starkey was arrested by police.
Defence and sentencing
In mitigation, defence lawyer Robert Fitt stated that Starkey had a previous good character and suffered from severe health issues, with a remaining life expectancy of three to five years. However, Judge Nicola Jones sentenced him to four years and five months in prison. He will serve half in custody and the rest on licence. She said he was already subject to notification requirements from the date of his plea, and these would now be indefinite. Restraining orders preventing him from contacting the victims were also issued. He must also pay a statutory surcharge.
Commenting on the 2022 assault, Judge Jones said: 'There was a clear abuse of trust. She went to you as a professional, for a clairvoyant consultation and clearly relied upon your expertise and knowledge.'
