THE DAILY MAIL

London, England

29 June 1934

Aleister Crowley for Trial.

"Black Magic" Libel Action Echo.

Edward Alexander Crowley, Aged 58 (known as Aleister Crowley, the author), of Upper Montagu-street, W., was committed for trial at the Old Bailey by Mr. Ivan Snell, the Marylebone magistrate, yesterday, on a charge of feloniously receiving five letters, the property of Mrs. Betty Sedgwick [Betty May]. Bail was allowed.

Mr. Edward F. Iwi, prosecuting, said that Mrs. Sedgwick, of South Hill Parkgardens, Hampstead, had lived at a house in Seymour-street, W., until the end of June 1933. She then left for a cottage in Berkshire and when she arrived there she found the letters missing.

In April of this year Mrs. Sedgwick was a witness in the case Crowley v. Constable and others (known as the black magic libel action), and gave evidence on behalf of Messrs. Constable. She did not willingly part with the letters.

Requests for Money

In reply to Mr. C. Gallop (defending) Mrs. Sedgwick said that when living at Seymour-street a man was living there, but the last time she saw him was in a public-house before the civil trial.

Did you know when you went to the public-house that these letters were missing from your possession?—Yes.

What was his name?—Captain E. Cruze; sometimes he spelt it Cruse.

Did you go with Cruze to see a solicitor?—Yes.

Was the object to negotiate with Messrs. Waterhouse for remuneration for your services?—No.

What was the object?—To prevent me from being attacked by roughs.

The letters from you were requests for money, weren't they?—Yes.

Mr. Walter William Hunt, a solicitor's clerk employed by Mr. Crowley's present solicitors, Messrs. Forsyte, Kerman, and Phillips, of Carlos-place, W., said the five letters were handed to him by Mr. Crowley before the civil trial.

Mr. Snell said the case was outside the ordinary category of cases.