THE GLOUCESTER CITIZEN

Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England

25 July 1934

(page 5)

AUTHOR-EXPLORER CHARGED.

SEQUEL TO LOSS OF LETTERS.

Edward Alexander Crowley (58), an explorer, also known as an author under the name of Aleister Crowley, pleaded not guilty before Judge Whiteley, K.C., at the Old Bailey to an indictment charging him with receiving four letters and one copy of a letter, the property of Mrs. Betty Sedgwick [Betty May], a model, knowing them to have been stolen.

Mr. Melford Stevenson, prosecuting, said that Mrs. Sedgwick was expecting in June, 1933, to give evidence against Crowley in an action for alleged libel which he had instituted against the publishers of a certain book.

She had at that time four letters in Seymour-street, W., which showed that she had been receiving certain sums from the publishers' solicitors in respect of her expenses. A fifth letter referred to a book that she was preparing.

In June, 1933, she went to the country and found that the letters had gone from her suitcase. She saw them again in April, 1934, in court, when she was cross-examined on them by Crowley's counsel during the action against the publishers.

Mr. Stevenson said it was not known who stole the letters. The only person who was likely to have any interest in their possession was Crowley, and the circumstances were such that it was for him to give an explanation of his possession of them.

Mrs. Sedgwick, cross-examined yesterday, said that the last time she was in company with a man names Cruze she accused him of stealing the letters. She had heard that he had been showing them around, saying that he could get £100 for them.

The hearing was adjourned.