A former Scientologist who left the movement 'in disgust,' described it at East Grinstead court on Monday as an 'evil cult.'

Maurice William Johnson of South Shields County Durham, told the court that since he resigned from the movement in June 1966, he had been persecuted by the Scientology organization and had received over 100 letters of abuse from Scientologists.

A man who wrote one of the letters to Mr. Johnson while he was a member of the Scientology movement himself told how he had written it while under a form of subconscious duress following a period of processing at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead.

Mr. Johnson pleaded not guilty to a summons brought by Mr. Herbert George Parkhouse on behalf of the Church of Scientology of California, that he stole a blazer and two pairs of trousers, the property of the Church of Scientology.

After a hearing lasting over four hours, the summons was dismissed.

Continued