Psychotherapist Who Preyed on Patients Jailed After Case Reopened
A psychotherapist who exploited the trust of vulnerable women under the guise of treatment has been jailed, bringing an end to a case that lay dormant for nearly a decade before determined detectives reopened it.
Tarkan Mustafa, 55, of Southgate, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to three years and nine months for a series of sexual assaults committed at his Ponders End practice, Peace of Mind – Private Therapy. He will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life and is subject to a five‑year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The conviction follows Mustafa’s guilty verdict on seven counts of sexual assault, including sexually motivated touching, after a two‑week trial. His offending, described by investigators as calculated and predatory, took place during what were supposed to be therapeutic sessions.
The Met’s renewed investigation was prompted by fresh allegations, prompting officers to revisit an earlier case from 2016 that had initially been closed due to insufficient evidence. Detectives found clear similarities between the accounts, leading to the decision to re-engage the first victim and examine both cases side by side.
Detective Sergeant Myles Bossman, who led the inquiry, said Mustafa had abused his professional position for personal gratification, betraying women who had sought emotional support. He praised the victims for their courage in coming forward, emphasising that their persistence ensured Mustafa could no longer target other patients.
The assaults included the use of sexualised language and inappropriate physical contact passed off as complementary therapy. Officers consulted experts across psychotherapy, physiotherapy and acupressure to scrutinise Mustafa’s claims and build a robust evidential picture.
The case also reflects a wider shift within the Met, which reports a significant rise in the number of charges secured since 2022 as part of its stated commitment to improving outcomes for victims of sexual and violent crimes.
Police are now urging anyone who believes they may have been harmed by Mustafa to come forward. Reports can be made by calling 101 and quoting 01/YE/10292/24, or anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
