Conflicts within our communities (often called “Witch Wars”) like conflicts within any religious body can get ugly. Threats, intimidation, and ostracization have all happened at different times and places. But The Scotsman reports on a conflict between Pagans living in a Pagan commune that appears to have gone beyond the pale. The case involves fantasy author Bernard King, Asatru author Freya Aswynn, and accusations of possessing child pornography.

“Fantasy writer Bernard King, 60, walked free from court yesterday after allegations that he hoarded pornographic images of children on his home computer were thrown out. But before the case against him was dropped, details of King’s life in a pagan commune – set up at Bankhead Farm, Strathaven, by fellow writer and self-confessed witch Freya Aswynn – were revealed at Hamilton Sheriff Court. It emerged that King left the peace-loving commune of nature lovers after a row with Aswynn over a replica gun. After his departure 5,518 pictures, some showing children having sex with adults, were found on a computer King gave to a fellow pagan’s teenage daughter. Police were called and King was arrested.”

But was King a pervert, or the victim of a vindictive set-up? The details of the charges getting dropped open up the possibility of King getting framed after leaving the commune.

“But yesterday the charges were dropped after prosecution witness and fellow pagan Trady Wadman, 38, changed her evidence in the dock. Miss Wadman, who lived at the commune with her 15-year-old daughter Cerise, said Aswynn considered herself a witch. She said Aswynn – whose real name is Elizabeth Hooy-schuur – claimed that she could cast a magic spell on people she didn’t like. King blamed Aswynn in court for downloading the porn.”

With a witness changing testimony, and with Aswynn living outside the country after selling the commune, the charges against King were dropped. Without further testimony we will most likely never know how the pornography got on a computer King had once owned. But it does show how easy it is for religious-based living situations to go wrong. Especially when issues of authority and ego get involved. In a way, I do hope it was a vindictive prank, rather than knowing that a pedophile (whoever it may be in this situation) is walking free.

Tags: Paganism