THE DAILY HERALD

London, England

9 November 1934

(page 4)

ALEISTER CROWLEY LOSES.

The appeal by Mr. Edward Alexander (Aleister) Crowley, the author, against the dismissal of his action in respect of an alleged libel in “Laughing Torso,” was dismissed in the Court of Appeal yesterday.

The defendants were Constable and Co., Ltd., Charles Whittingham and Briggs Ltd., and Miss Nina Hamnett, the publishers, printers and writer of the book.

Mr. Crowley complained that in “Laughing Torso” Miss Hamnett said he had a temple at Cefalu, Sicily, where he was supposed to have practiced black magic.

It was contended by Mr. Crowley that the words of which he complained imputed to him a practice that was not only foul but was for the most part criminal, and that the statement that one day a baby had disappeared mysteriously imputed that he killed the child by black magic.

Lord Justice Greer, giving judgment, said there might be something to be said in favour of the summing -up of the judge (Mr. Justice Swift) not being as full as it ought reasonably to have been, and that it contained one or two statements which were not in accordance with the law.

But they were entitled to come to the conclusion that the only possible result of the case, having regard to the evidence and Crowley’s admissions, would be a verdict for the defendants.

Lords Justices Slesser and Roche concurred.