LONDON (RNS) One of the prominent figures in the revived ancient priesthood of Druidism in Britain has been charged with defrauding the government of 40,000 pounds (about $25,000) in welfare payments over the past eight years.
Druid Terry Dobney, the self-styled “Keeper of the Stones” at the nation’s ages-old monument at Stonehenge, is best known for his walks through the countryside with a staff while wearing a tweed cap.
The 62-year-old arch-Druid told Salisbury Crown Court that the money belonged to his mother and that he planned to use it to buy a new thatched roof for his home.
Prosecutors, however, claim that Dobney routinely falsely signed documents to accumulate illegal welfare payments. Fraud has sharply increased in recent years in Britain’s extensive welfare system.
In the nebulous assembly of Druids in Britain, Dobney is one of the more famous, particularly in televised Druidic activities around Stonehenge and the summer solstice celebrations a few miles north at Avebury.
Druids formed a priestly class in ancient Britain, Ireland and other Celtic parts of Europe during the Iron Age. But they kept few, if any, written accounts, and present-day Druidic practices are largely based on legends recounted by medieval writers.
- AL WEBB, Religion News Service
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posted April 6, 2011 at 5:26 pm
At least he’s not accused of molesting children, or of hiding such molestations.
posted April 6, 2011 at 8:16 pm
wacky druid with his hand in the cookie jar
posted April 6, 2011 at 8:53 pm
If it is proved that he did defraud the government, he should pay the fine/do the time/ whatever like everyone else. If not, great. Yes, nnmns, at least he has not been accused of molesting children or hiding those that did.
posted April 6, 2011 at 11:44 pm
What does one have to do with the other you can’t make a crime better by comparing it to something worse, that’s just childish.
posted April 7, 2011 at 7:08 am
There’s no intention on my part of making his crime “better”. Just putting it in perspective. He should have whatever penalty is appropriate for whatever he turns out to have done. As ps said.
posted April 7, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Maybe he just needed a new roof, and planned to put it back as fast as he could. I read so many stories of people who handle cities, org. money and do this. Sometimes it worked for them and nobody knew, but when they did it the second time or more times they got caught. Makes you wonder how many others have done this and never did it again.