Source: Yahoo! News
Wire Service: AP
On August 3, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "Prosecutors dropped charges Tuesday against a man who explained that he carried a sword into a shop because he is a druid. At a brief appearance in court last month, Merlin Michael Williams, 26, said previous cases heard by the court had allowed druids the right to carry ceremonial swords, which are used to cast spells and create circles of safety. Williams, of Westbourne, southern England, was arrested July 9 after carrying his weapon while shopping at a store in Portsmouth. The sword was confiscated as evidence. The Crown Prosecution Service said the matter had been considered and 'it was deemed not to be in the public interest to continue with the case.'"