Overview
- John Starkey, 74, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday to four years and five months in prison after admitting sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.
- Prosecutors told the court that Starkey used tarot readings and claims of 'spiritual cleansing' to coax victims to undress and then assaulted them, including attacks in Wolverhampton and a London hotel in 2018 and in a Llandudno shop in October 2022.
- Judge Nicola Jones branded Starkey a 'complete charlatan' and said his conduct was a clear abuse of professional trust toward women who sought his clairvoyant services.
- The sentence requires Starkey to serve half in custody with the remainder on licence, and includes indefinite sex‑offender notification, restraining orders barring contact with the victims, and a mandatory statutory surcharge.
- Defence counsel noted Starkey’s prior good character and serious health problems, but the court emphasised planning and breach of trust, a finding that removes the credibility of his self‑promotion as a high‑profile clairvoyant and signals legal accountability for those who exploit client vulnerability.