Druid in Court Accused over Ceremonial Sword

Scotsman News.com ^ | 7/14/04 | Ben Mitchell

[MikalM]

A druid swordbearer appeared in court today charged with possessing an offensive weapon.

Merlin Michael Williams, 26, of Edgell Road, Westbourne, Emsworth, Hants, was arrested on Friday, July 9, after he was stopped by a security guard in a branch of Wilkinson general stores with his sheathed 3ft ceremonial sword slung over his shoulder.

He appeared before Portsmouth Magistrates today dressed in a green robe, blue cloak and with talismans around his neck.

Acting as his legal adviser during the short hearing today was chief druid King Arthur Pendragon, swordbearer of Britain, who was dressed in white robes with a red lion emblazoned on the front.

About a dozen fellow members of the Insular Order of Druids, to which Williams belongs, supported him by sitting in the public gallery, some dressed in robes.

Williams’ sword, which he calls Talisen, was detained as evidence by police after his arrest in Arundel Street, Portsmouth.

The case was adjourned after prosecutor Colin Shackel requested time to examine case histories which Williams claimed had set a precedent for druid ceremonial swords being not deemed as offensive weapons.

Mr Shackel said: “The charge before the court results from the defendant being found in possession of a sword in a public place in a shop in Arundel Street.

“It is accepted by the Crown this was sheathed and there was no offensive action by the defendant. The issue is whether this is an offensive weapon per se.”

The case was adjourned until August 3 and Williams was bailed until then.

A druid’s ceremonial sword is used for casting spells and casting circles spaces of safety, according to a spokesman for the Insular Order of Druids.

[GeronL]

Imagine the different services having different color vehicles.

[GeronL]

Close neighbors won't appreciate folks w/o fire service, or that hire idiots

definitely.

[SirLurkedalot]

Darndao bump.

[R. Scott]

If a three foot sword is considered an “offensive weapon”, what would they consider a “defensive weapon”?
A ban on swords isn’t uncommon. If I have a permit, I can carry a concealed .44 magnum handgun in Newport News, Virginia. I can not carry a sword, dirk, Bowie knife, switch blade, throwing stars, Nunchucks ...

[GovernmentShrinker]

Doesn't the 2nd Amendment cover the right to keep and bear ARMS? It doesn't say "guns" or "firearms".

[sawmill trash]

You got the knife
I got the gun
come on boy
we gonna have a little fun

[jnarcus]

This casts a pall on all true druids....of which this yahoos aren't. Too many mind altering drugs....

[R. Scott]

Article IV
Section 1.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
Also according to our Constitution the carry permit of one State should be honored in all States.

[DBrow]

Look up The Offensive Weapons Act in the UK. Bans anything pointy, basically. You can be busted for possession of a Swiss Army knife if it is not directly related to your job and you are either on the job or directly coming or going to work. And if you get caught giving something pointy to a minor, forget it, you'll never see the sky again.

There is even a law banning Combat Knives, which are not defined.

[R. Scott]

Exactly. You should see my 9-yo. He is something else.

On first read I read “yo” as “yo-yo”. Visions of a kid with a stainless steel yo-yo and he knows how to use it! The forward pass would be pretty effective.