June 13, 2026 - 219 views
A man who worked as a clairvoyant in North Wales has been jailed after admitting sexually assaulting two women.
74-year-old John Starkey, from Upper Colwyn Bay, was sentenced to four years and five months in prison at Caernarfon Crown Court after pleading guilty to three offences.
The court heard that Starkey abused the trust of women who had attended spiritual and psychic consultations with him between 2018 and 2022.
One woman first met Starkey during readings he conducted in Wolverhampton. Prosecutors said he persuaded her to take part in what he described as spiritual cleansing sessions before sexually assaulting her.
A second woman, who was visiting Llandudno on holiday, attended a consultation at Starkey’s shop in 2022. The court heard she was also sexually assaulted after being encouraged to take part in what was presented as a spiritual treatment.
Judge Nicola Jones said the offences involved a significant abuse of trust and a degree of planning.
Defence barrister Robert Fitt told the court that Starkey has serious health problems and a limited life expectancy. He also said the defendant had worked as a clairvoyant for many years and that the offences were out of character.
However, Judge Jones said the seriousness of the offences warranted an immediate prison sentence.
Starkey pleaded guilty to one charge of assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.
