A PALM reader who claimed he could reunite a woman with her ex-boyfriend appeared in court yesterday charged with deception.
Naseem Mohammed, 42, an Indian palmist from Chester, is accused of falsely claiming he could restore the relationship between Jasuir Mahill and her lover using "paranormal phenomena".
It is also alleged that Mr Mohammed obtained £8,000 over a series of payments from Ms Mahill, who is in her 30s and from Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent, in exchange for his services.
He faces seven charges of deception and a further charge under the Trades Descriptions Act for recklessly making a false statement that he was "able to perform paranormal phenomena guaranteeing to restore the physical relationship between her and her ex-boyfriend".
Smartly dressed in a dark three-quarter length coat over a dark suit with blue tie, Mr Mohammed appeared before Chester Magistrates' Court,, speaking only to confirm his name, age and address.
Prosecuting, solicitor Ian Moore described the case as "very unusual". He told the court: "It is very rare for such a case to come before a British court." No plea was entered during the five-minute hearing, which was packed with journalists, and the case was adjourned for seven days until next Monday.
In a statement issued before the hearing Cheshire's Trading Standards officers said the case is one of the most bizarre they have ever been asked to investigate.
It is alleged that the palmist, who council officers say trades under the name of Pundit Maharaj, gave false advice to Ms Mahill after she split up with her boyfriend in August 2004, because of differences over their Muslim and Hindu religions.
After the hearing Mr Mohammed returned to his shop, not far from the court, in Chester's exclusive Bridge Street Rows.
Above the shops' black painted exterior a sign reads: "The Indian Palmist. Established in England since 1952".
Article
