Pagan rituals at full moon led to the stabbing of ‘noisy neighbour’
A DRUID witch was stabbed by neighbours after they lost patience with his noisy pagan rituals, a court heard.
Mark and Anne Denyer went after John Bennett as he conducted a back garden ceremony involving chanting and drumming – something he did every full moon. Mr Denyer exchanged insults with Mr Bennett, who goes by the pagan name of Bearheart, before storming round to his bungalow.
His wife armed herself with an umbrella which she used to hit the bearded Druid over the head while her husband grabbed a kitchen knife and made a “short jab” with it toward his victim.
Mr Bennett’s 22-stone frame prevented a deep wound, the court heard, and he suffered only superficial injury.
Mr Denyer, 56, a lorry driver, and his wife, 52, denied unlawful wounding but were found guilty following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. They were handed suspended prison sentences by the judge, who recognised they were frustrated at the “intolerable noises coming yet again” from their neighbour’s garden.
The court heard the Denyers moved to Hillbury Park, in Alderholt, Dorset, a semi-retirement development, for a “peaceful and tranquil life”. Their property backed on to the home Mr Bennett shared with Samantha Hathaway, his pagan partner. They were members of a clan inspired by ancient druids who practised alchemy.
The Denyers took exception to the “disturbances” and complained to the park owners. Judge Jonathan Fuller said: “You, Mrs Denyer, complained to your husband about the noise coming from Mr Bennett’s garden. He was performing a full moon ceremony, which Pagans are inclined to do once a month and involves incantations and rhythmic beating of drums. I am quite satisfied it was Mr Denyer who prompted the initial exchange over the fence which soon escalated to insults and threats being traded on both sides. Both sides went back into their respective homes to avoid further conflict and it simply should have ended there.”
The court heard more insults were traded, leading to Mrs Denyer hitting the Druid with her brolly and Mr Denyer punched him in the stomach and stabbed his victim. Judge Fuller said he accepted neither intended serious harm to their neighbour.
Mr Denyer was given 10 months’ jail suspended for a year and 130 hours of unpaid work. Mrs Denyer was given a six-month suspended sentence with 100 hours of unpaid work.