A TV psychic referred to as a “fraud” has been sentenced to four years and five months in prison for sexually assaulting two women. John Starkey, 74, who claimed to be a highly respected clairvoyant with over 40 years of experience, confessed to charges of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.
During the sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court, Judge Nicola Jones condemned Starkey as a “complete fraud” and criticized his actions as a blatant betrayal of trust. Starkey, who bragged about his appearances on various TV and radio shows, used his psychic readings as a guise to carry out the assaults, according to court proceedings.
The investigation into Starkey began when a woman reported a sexual assault by him in Wolverhampton in 2018. Subsequently, he lured the same victim to a London hotel under false pretenses of meeting other clients, where he instructed her to undress and sexually assaulted her under the guise of a twisted “initiation” for “spiritual cleansing.”
The second victim, a young woman interested in clairvoyance, was attacked by Starkey during a holiday in Llandudno in October 2022. She visited a shop where Starkey was employed for a consultation, during which he instructed her to undress and then sexually touched her. Following this incident, he was taken into custody by the police.
In his defense, Starkey’s lawyer, Robert Fitt, highlighted his client’s previously untarnished reputation and severe health problems, predicting a remaining lifespan of three to five years. Starkey, residing in Rhodfa’r Grug, Upper Colwyn Bay, North Wales, was sentenced to four years and five months in jail, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on license.
Judge Jones noted that Starkey was already subjected to notification requirements since his plea date, which would now be indefinite. Additionally, restraining orders preventing contact with the victims were issued, and a statutory surcharge was mandated. Reflecting on the 2022 assault, Judge Jones emphasized the breach of trust, stating that the victim had sought Starkey’s professional services for a clairvoyant consultation, trusting in his expertise and knowledge.
