THE ABERDEEN PRESS AND JOURNAL

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

14 April 1934

(page 7)

"BLACK MAGIC" SUIT DECISION.

Verdict for Defendants: Judge Hits Out.

The "Black Magic" libel action in the King's Bench Division concluded yesterday, the jury returning a verdict for all the defendants with costs.

Mr. Justice Swift, directing the jury, said—"Never have I heard such dreadful, horrible, blasphemous, abominable stuff as that produced by a man describing himself as the greatest living poet.

"I have learnt in this case that we can always learn something more if we live long enough."

The action was by Mr. Aleister Crowley, the author, against Miss Nina Hamnett, authoress of "Laughing Torso."

Plea of Justification.

Messrs. Constable and Company, Limited, publishers, and Messrs. Charles Whittingham and Briggs, printers, were also defendants.

Mr. Crowley complained that the book imputes that he practised "Black Magic" which, he maintained, was a libel upon him.

The defence was a plea of justification.