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03-05-2005, 10:07 PM
(02-28) 17:57 PST Milford, Conn. (AP) --
A British hypnotist charged with having sex with patients under his spell and secretly videotaping the encounters was sentenced Monday to 90 days in prison and faces possible deportation to England.
Michael Johnstone, 64, had pleaded no contest to reckless endangerment and breach of peace. As part of a plea deal, he received three years in prison with all but 90 days suspended. He will not have to register as a sex offender or attend sex therapy.
"We're content with it," defense attorney Hugh Keefe said.
Authorities said Johnstone confessed to having sex and videotaping the trysts with a half-dozen patients who came to him for anxiety treatment. The incidents allegedly occurred between 2000 and 2003.
Prosecutor Kevin Lawlor said the deal avoids a trial and a drawn-out appeal on an uncertain legal issue. Johnstone was charged under a statute applying to psychotherapists; the charge has never been used on a hypnotist.
"The victims' feeling that they did not wish to proceed weighed heavily on us," he said.
Prosecutors said immigration officials are investigating and may detain Johnstone after his sentence
A British hypnotist charged with having sex with patients under his spell and secretly videotaping the encounters was sentenced Monday to 90 days in prison and faces possible deportation to England.
Michael Johnstone, 64, had pleaded no contest to reckless endangerment and breach of peace. As part of a plea deal, he received three years in prison with all but 90 days suspended. He will not have to register as a sex offender or attend sex therapy.
"We're content with it," defense attorney Hugh Keefe said.
Authorities said Johnstone confessed to having sex and videotaping the trysts with a half-dozen patients who came to him for anxiety treatment. The incidents allegedly occurred between 2000 and 2003.
Prosecutor Kevin Lawlor said the deal avoids a trial and a drawn-out appeal on an uncertain legal issue. Johnstone was charged under a statute applying to psychotherapists; the charge has never been used on a hypnotist.
"The victims' feeling that they did not wish to proceed weighed heavily on us," he said.
Prosecutors said immigration officials are investigating and may detain Johnstone after his sentence