THE DAILY EXPRESS

London, England

26 July 1934

(page 7)

Aleister Crowley Bound

Over By The Judge

GUILTY OF RECEIVING LETTERS

PLEA THAT HE WAS UNAWARE

THEY WERE STOLEN

MISSING CAPTAIN

Edward Alexander Crowley, aged fifty-eight, described as an explorer, was bound over for two years at the Old Bailey yesterday on the charge of receiving four original letters and one copy stated to have been stolen from Mrs. Betty Sedgwick.

Mrs. Sedgwick, known professionally known as “Betty May,” an artist’s model, of South Hill, Park Gardens, Hampstead.

It was stated that the letters vanished from Mrs. Sedgwick’s attaché case, and were later produced at the hearing of a libel action in the High Court in which Crowley was plaintiff.

Mrs. Sedgwick in her evidence alleged that the letters were stolen from her by a man named Captain Eddie Cruze.

Crowley, in the witness-box, described himself as an author and poet, writing under the name of Aleister Crowley.

He said, in reply to Mr. C. Gallop, defending, that he never at any time suspected that the letters were stolen.

Mr. Melford Stevenson, prosecuting, asked in cross-examination: Have you been expelled from Italy?

Crowley: I have, like most distinguished Englishmen.

Have you been expelled from America?—No.

From France?—No.

“ON A TECHNICAL POINT”

Have you been refused permission to remain in either of these countries?—In France they refused to renew my permission on a technical point.

Have you been expelled from India?—No.

It is clear when you acquired these letters that Miss Betty May was going to give evidence against you?—Yes.

That is why you wanted the letters?—Part of my reason.

Mr. Isidore Kerman, senior partner in a firm of solicitors, said that he had the conduct of the libel action, Crowley v. Constables.

He stated that he did not know Crowley had paid £5 for the letters. With the knowledge he had he thought the transaction was quite proper.

After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Whiteley asked if any one knew what had happened to Captain Cruze.

Mr. Stevenson: I wish we did.

“This is the first time this sort of case has come before me,” said the judge, giving his decision, “and I think it is a useful prosecution because it has been made clear now that this sort of thing cannot be done.

“These letters ought not to have been used, never to have been in your possession, or handed to your solicitor at all.

“However, they were used, and no harm had in fact been done, therefore, I am not going to send you to prison.”

The judge ordered that Crowley should pay a sum not exceeding fifty guineas towards the costs of prosecution.