MILFORD, Conn. (AP) – A hypnotist charged with having sex with several patients and secretly videotaping the encounters has been ordered to return to England. U.S. Immigration Judge Michael W. Straus on Friday ordered the deportation of Michael Johnstone, 65. Johnstone has 30 days to appeal.

“If he elects not to appeal the decision, immigration enforcement officials will have him removed from the country,” said Greg Kagne, a spokesman for the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Johnstone’s immigration attorney could not be reached for comment.

The former hypnotist was sentenced in February to 90 days in prison after he pleaded no contest to three counts each of reckless endangerment and breach of peace. He also agreed not to work as a hypnotist.

Investigators said Johnstone confessed to having sex with a half-dozen patients while videotaping the trysts.

The victims were in their 40s and 50s and had come to him for anxiety treatment, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the plea deal avoided a trial and a drawn-out appeal on an uncertain legal issue. Johnstone was charged with sexual assault under a statute applying to psychotherapists who have sex with clients, but the charge had never been used on a hypnotist.

“His behavior was so reprehensible that we can do without people like him in this country,” said attorney Stephan Seeger, who represents one of Johnstone’s accusers. “My client will feel much safer knowing that he will no longer be in the area.”

Johnstone formerly operated Positive Changes Hypnosis in Milford. Authorities arrested him in May 2003 after several female patients lodged complaints that he had inappropriate sexual relations with them. The incidents occurred between 2000 and 2003.

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Information from: Connecticut Post, http://www.connpost.com

AP-ES-09-17-05 1218EDT