Spiritualist "With Mission” Loses libel Action

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 367, 23 February 1937, Page 6

Spiritualist "With Mission” Loses libel Action

AND JUDGE IGNORES HER TEARFUL PLEA

An abrupt end was called to a libel action in the King’s Bench Division, England, by Mrs Nesta E. A. Lewis, 1 spiritualist, known as ‘ * Nesta of the Forest, ,3 who complained of an in “John Bull.” alleging she was a 1 charlatan who made her living by deliberate fraud. Lord Hewart withdrew the case from the special jury, and entered judgment for defendants, with costs. Mrs Lewis, who lives iu Commercial road, Bournemouth, answering Mr G. Beyfus (for the defence), declared: *‘l believe I have a mission in this world. *■’ Asked about receiving money, she retorted: “Are you conducting this case without a brief V’ Lord Hewart: What has that to do with it?

Mrs Lewis: Well, when people give me honest money there is no harm in accepting it. Later, Mrs Lewis said: “1 always feel faint at the sight of a Bournemouth policeman. ”

At the conclusion of Mrs Lewis' case she rose from her seat and exclaimed in tearful tones, “Can I speak?”

Lord Hewart took no notice. He held that the matter dealt with in the article was of public interest and that the defence of <‘fair comment” was well founded.

An application a stay of execu tion was refused.