CULTIST GAOLED

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30680, 20 February 1965, Page 16

CULTIST GAOLED

Practised Wicca

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Feb. 19. On a charge of doing an indecent act with intent to insult or offend, Keith Lanyon, aged 27, a clerk, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland today. Lanyon had pleaded not guilty and was convicted of the charge. The police alleged the act took place at 28 Ladies mile on February 4.

Defending, Mr N. L. Bradford said Lanyon maintained he had no criminal intention. “The cult of Wicca is his philosophy of life,” Mr Bradford said. “He feels free in his own private life to follow what philosophy he wants and if it conflicts with the interests of society he must bear that.” He submitted it was a minor offence and could be met with a fine.

Mr E. F. Rothwell, S.M., said he could not find anything to disturb his decision that prison was unavoidable. The offence might have been regarded more lightly if it had not been so prolonged. “It is quite inescapable that the moral standard of the cult is what you think is proper,” he said, “and you must be cured of that.” Mr Rothwell said he would recommend that Lanyon, a native of England, be deported.