THE NEWS CHRONICLE

29 June 1934

ASTOUNDING REVELATIONS OF WICKEDNESS.

ALEISTER CROWLEY SENT FOR TRIAL.

On a charge of feloniously receiving five letters, the property of Betty Sedgewick [Betty May], Alexander Crowley (58) of Upper Montague-Street, (Known as Aleister Crowley, the author) was sent for trial yesterday at Marylebone.

He pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. His counsel stated that Mr. Crowley had an absolute explanation.

Mr. Edward F. Iwi (prosecuting) said that according to his instructions the documents were stolen while Mrs. Sedgewick was at Seymour Street and had been received by the defendant knowing them to have been stolen.

In April last Mrs. Sedgewick was a witness in the case against Messrs. Constable and others and gave evidence on behalf of Messrs. Constable. Certain documents then produced were ordered to be kept in the custody of the court. He (Mr. Iwi) was now responsible for the return of those papers to Mr. Justice Swift’s Court.

A MODEL

Evidence was given by Mrs. Sedgewick, who told the magistrate that she was a model by profession usually known as Betty May, and that she was now living at South Hill Park-gardens, Hampstead.

Mr. Iwi handed to Mrs. Sedgewick a bundle of five letters which she said were her property. There were four original letters and one copy. She had then at Seymour Street, but after June last year did not see the letter again until the trial in the High court. She did not miss them until she went to her cottage in the country.

Mr. Iwi “Did you willingly part with these letters to anybody?”—No.

Mrs. Sedgewick added that four of the letters were produced in the High Court action.

“There are three originals from Waterhouse, one from the publisher and one copy” explained Mr. Iwi.

Replying to Mr. Gallop (for Mr. Crowley) Mrs. Sedgewick said that when she wrote the letter of April 25 she was living in Seymour Street.

FEAR OF ATTACK

Counsel: Was anyone living there?—Yes.

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

Had Cruze any money?—None.

Did you go with Cruze to see a Solicitor?—No.

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

Did no you yourself hand the letter to Cruze?—never.

Did you not authorise Cruze to get rid of those letters in the most advantageous manner that he could think of?—Certainly not.

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

When you went back to the place you describe as your country cottage did you go with Cruze or without him?—Without him.

Walter William Hunt, a solicitor’s clerk, was shown a bundle of five letters and said they were handed to him by Mr. Crowley some weeks before the civil trial. Mr. Crowley told him to give them to his principle and he did so.

The magistrate said the case was outside the ordinary category. He was glad someone else would finally deal with it.