TV Psychic Admits Guilt in Sexual Assault Case, Faces Imprisonment
A television psychic who claims to have appeared on ITV's This Morning is now confronting the prospect of a custodial sentence after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two women during clairvoyant sessions. John Starkey, aged 74, dramatically changed his pleas in court, admitting to three charges of sexual assault that date back to incidents between 2018 and 2022.
Court Proceedings and Judicial Warning
Starkey was due to stand trial at Mold Crown Court in North Wales, accused of five offences, but he altered his pleas, with the prosecution accepting his admission to three counts of sexual assault. Judge Rhys Rowlands adjourned sentencing until next month but issued a stern warning to Starkey, who also claims appearances on LK Today, GMTV, The Paul O'Grady Show, and LBC Radio.
'This is an extremely serious case and an immediate custodial sentence, I would have thought, is the inevitable outcome of it,' Judge Rowlands stated. He emphasized that although a pre-sentence report was ordered, Starkey should not misinterpret this as leniency. The judge granted bail but mandated that Starkey sign the Sex Offenders' Register immediately.
Details of the Assaults and Investigation
Prosecutor Elen Owen outlined the case, revealing that Starkey was first investigated by police in 2018 after a woman reported a sexual assault in Wolverhampton. A second attack occurred months later in a London hotel room, where Starkey deceived the same victim into attending a supposed meeting with other clients, only for her to find herself alone with him. Ms Owen described how he sexually assaulted her under the guise of an 'initiation.'
Initially, Starkey denied any wrongdoing, and no charges were brought at that stage. However, in 2022, a new complaint emerged when a young woman on holiday in Llandudno was sexually assaulted during a clairvoyant consultation. This led police to revisit the original investigation, with traces of Starkey's DNA found on items from the first victim.
Starkey's Background and Guilty Pleas
John Starkey describes himself as an 'internationally renowned clairvoyant' with 40 years of experience, offering services from a shop in the seaside resort of Llandudno, North Wales. He claims to have worked for various broadcasters, including ITV's This Morning, LK Today, GMTV, The Paul O'Grady Show, LBC Radio, and Beacon Radio.
Starkey pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration between April 1, 2018, and October 1, 2018, plus two counts of sexual assault by touching on December 14, 2018, and October 25, 2022. Defence lawyer Andrew Jebb indicated plans to seek a full medical report on his client.
Broader Implications and Sentencing
The case highlights serious concerns about abuse within alternative therapy settings. Starkey's website promotes clairvoyance as a tool to help cope with loss and life's troubles, yet his actions have led to criminal convictions. As sentencing approaches next month, the court's focus remains on delivering justice for the victims, with a jail term deemed inevitable by the presiding judge.
