Barrister known as White Witch of Rye ‘harassed wizard and controlled what he ate’
She convinced the wizard to let her move in.
A woman known as the ‘White Witch of Rye’ who became obsessed with a ‘wizard’ faces jail for breaking into his house and smashing up his greenhouse.
Barbara Maura Lane, 42, bombarded self-proclaimed wizard Alfred Douglas with calls and texts after she signed up for a magic course, Brighton Magistrates Court heard.
The barrister first visited his home in Rye, East Sussex, to supposedly see his library on the occult.
Things soon took a turn after she persuaded him to let her stay because she claimed she had nowhere to live after her dad died and her mum suffered a stroke.
Mr Douglas’ nephew Paul Wilson-Patterson said: ‘They became inseparable. She had his bank card and control of his bank account.
‘She controlled what he ate, what he drank, the clothes he wore, who he saw and when he saw them.’
He found out his uncle had changed his will – leaving around £1.5million to Lane which included his home and shop.
Lane falsely claimed Mr Douglas had gone senile and told locals she was his carer, resulting in him being isolated from friends.
She would often kick his calves to make him move faster and told him he was old, sick and dying.
Mr Douglas later told police he felt ‘intimidated’ and fears from his relatives grew after Lane would drunkenly smash crockery after downing mugfuls of gin.
Mr Wilson-Patterson said ‘Maura was prone to these ferocious rages and would go around smashing glassware, ceramics and things in the house. Alfred was terrified but he didn’t know what to do.’
His wife Anna added: ‘We thought we’d visit and find him dead at the bottom of the stairs… she was like a demon.’
Mr Douglas was forced to put bolts on his bedroom door to protect himself and had to wedge chairs and books against it.
It followed an incident where Lane broke in, stood at the foot of his bed smirking, and then threw books at him.
Lane, an Irish republican, also punched an elderly shop manager after she saw a portrait of the King and Union Jack bunting in Mr Douglas’ shop on King Charles’ coronation day.
This was when she turned on Mr Douglas, pushing him out of his home and smashing up his greenhouse.
His family then came to his aid but Lane hit Mr Wilson-Patterson and threw hot tea over Anna and smashed a glass panel on the front door.
Lane told police she was his carer and was owed £6,000.
She has been charged with seven offences including stalking, criminal damage and assault of Mr Douglas and his family.
Lane pleaded guilty to harassment without violence and criminal damage.
Judge David Renny said the remaining charges will remain on file and she could be jailed.
Lane was released on bail and will be sentenced on July 5.
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