A PSYCHIC medium accused of hypnotising her lover claims she has been unfairly targeted because of her profession.
Tracie Long, 49, from Chelmsford, has rubbished courtroom claims that she duped ex-boyfriend Jim Gotobed into parting with cash – and his wife – using her psychic abilities during their brief affair.
She was also shocked by Chelmsford magistrates' decision to drop her harassment claims against the former racing driver after she reported his alleged behaviour to police following their split in October 2012.
"He threatened to kill me, he wouldn't leave my friends alone, and he reported me to the Spiritual Workers Association," Ms Long said after the trial.
"But I'm sure he was let off out of sympathy. He has a brilliant crying act that he probably used in front of the magistrates.
"I didn't even get to share all the background, which would have made such a difference."
In a trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court last week , Mr Gotobed, 50, was cleared of all charges of harassment brought by his ex-girlfriend
The court heard he had felt "hypnotised" after his meetings with the psychic medium, who he claims encouraged him to leave his wife of 25 years, and spoke of a "dark force" about him when she carried out tarot readings – claims that Ms Long fiercely denies.
The Romford resident went on to tell magistrates he had lavished up to £12,000 on the psychic after selling his racing car, guns, and guitar collection, as well as arranging for his wages to be paid into her account – although he is now unemployed.
But despite being accused of an "evasive testimony", Ms Long maintains that the claims in court were "nutty" and "ridiculous".
The connection between the two began 30 years ago when they were teenage sweethearts, even enjoying a brief spell engaged to be married.
But the pair began speaking again in February last year after making contact on Facebook.
"We spent the afternoon just talking. He said he had become interested in spiritual work," said Ms Long, who wants to open a training school for those hoping to become psychics.
"Just before I left he grabbed me, told me he had always loved me and then kissed me.
"He did offer to leave his wife but I told him several times not to do that for me, but only for himself.
"When they separated we did become involved and for a couple of weeks he even stayed in my house, although he upset neighbours and just sat at home so I quickly changed my mind and asked him to leave.
"I started to try and put some distance between us, but the more I did that the stranger his behaviour became.
"When it finally ended I felt relieved but it turned out that was just the start of it all."
Ms Long alleges that Mr Gotobed then began a tirade of harassment against her, her family and friends in an effort to get her back, which she reported to police on several occasions, and which culminated in the trial on May 15.
But rather than implement a restraining order on Mr Gotobed, who is now back living with wife Josie at their Romford address, or find him guilty of harassment, magistrates dismissed Ms Long's version of events.
"I can't believe what he's been saying about being hypnotised – I don't even know how to hypnotise anyone and if I did why would I target a short, fat man with no money?
"The only reading I carried out for him was in an attempt to contact his dead grandfather to find out where some money had been stashed away.
"He knows about my profession, and for whatever reason he's used that to target me and exact revenge for the relationship.
"People have told me to play the victim but I won't do it, I'm a strong person."
The Spiritual Workers Association did carry out an investigation of Ms Long but found no breach of their ethical code and reinstated her membership after a brief suspension.
She is now looking forward to time away from Essex on her international tour beginning this June and hopes to carry out readings in San Francisco, Ireland and the rest of the UK.
"To be honest I think his is a false victory because he's just ended up making himself look ridiculous," she added.