John Starkey (Image: North Wales Police)
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A self-proclaimed clairvoyant has been sentenced to four years and five months in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting two women under the guise of spiritual consultations.
John Starkey, 74, of Rhodfa’r Grug, Upper Colwyn Bay, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court today (Friday, June 12) having pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.
Sentencing him, Judge Nicola Jones branded Starkey a “complete charlatan” and said his offending represented a clear breach of trust.
The false persona
The court heard Starkey had styled himself as an “internationally renowned clairvoyant” with 40 years of experience, claiming appearances on a number of prominent television and radio programmes.
Assault in Llandudno
Prosecutor Elen Owen outlined how the most recent offence took place in October 2022, when a young woman with an interest in clairvoyance visited a shop in Llandudno where Starkey was working while she was on holiday in the town.
She attended for a private consultation, during which Starkey instructed her to undress. He then touched her sexually. He was arrested by police following the assault.
Addressing this offence, Judge Jones told Starkey: “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.”
Earlier attacks on first victim
Starkey first came to the attention of police in 2018 after a woman reported being sexually assaulted by him during a session in Wolverhampton.
Several months later, he contacted the same woman and persuaded her to travel to a London hotel room under the false pretence that other clients would also be present. Once they were alone, he told her to remove her clothing and assaulted her, claiming it was an “initiation” for “spiritual cleansing.”
Mitigation and sentence
Defence barrister Robert Fitt told the court that Starkey was of previous good character and suffered from severe health problems, with a remaining life expectancy of three to five years.
Judge Jones sentenced Starkey to four years and five months’ imprisonment. He will serve half the sentence in custody, with the remainder on licence.
The court heard Starkey had been subject to notification requirements since the date of his guilty plea, and these would now apply indefinitely. Restraining orders preventing contact with both victims were also imposed, alongside a statutory surcharge.
