‘White Witch of Rye’ avoids jail for controlling what ‘wizard’, 82, ate, drank & wore in terrifying stalking campaign

A BARRISTER dubbed the “White Witch of Rye” has avoided jail after storming into the home of a “wizard” and taking over his life.

Barbara Maura Lane, 42, became obsessed with 82-year-old Alfred Douglas after signing up for his magic course.

She launched a terrifying stalking campaign against the self-proclaimed wizard that culminated in her her smashing up his home.

Lane also bombarded Alfred with calls and texts and in 2020, persuaded him to let her stay in his home after spinning a web of lies.

Once inside, she took control of the widow’s life – including putting herself in charge of his bank card and account.

Lane also controlled what he ate, drank and wore and blocked him from seeing friends and family.

When locals in Rye, East Sussex, expressed concerns for the ageing wizard, Lane claimed he was senile and that she was his carer.

Lane has now avoided jail after pleading guilty to harassment and criminal damage.

She was instead sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £2,597 in compensation.

Hove Crown Court heard she first visited the wizard’s home under the guise of seeing his library on the occult.

After persuading Alfred to let her stay, he and Lane – dubbed the “White Witch of Rye” by locals – became “inseparable”.

But their friendship soon turned sour when Lane began to take over every aspect of his life.

She allegedly forced Alfred to change his will – making her the sole beneficiary of his home and shop – worth around £1.5million.

Lane would also fly into drunken rages and smash up Alfred’s belongings after downing mugfuls of gin.

She would stand at the foot of his bed and throw books at him and told the widow he was old, sick and dying.

At one stage, Alfred resorted to putting “big bolts” on his bedroom to protect himself from Lane.

When Lane managed to snap these off, the wizard had to wedge a chair and piles of books against the door.

The campaign finally came to an end when the Irish republican lashed out after seeing a portrait of the King and Union Jack bunting in his shop.

Lane smashed up a glass panel on his front door and his greenhouse before pushing Alfred out of his home and allegedly attacking his family.

After she was arrested, lying Lane told police she was Alfred’s carer and that he owed her £6,000.

She was charged with seven offences including stalking, criminal damage and assault.

Lane was convicted of harassment without violence and criminal damage but the other charges were left to lie on the file.

After the case Alfred’s family spoke of his ordeal and said the experience had left him “shattered and upset.”

His nephew, Paul Wilson-Patterson and his wife Anna said: “We’re very relieved that this bizarre episode is behind us. It has left my uncle shattered and upset.

“Barbara Maura Lane was treated with great kindness and generosity; she responded with malicious and violent behaviour.

“Her vicious cruelty to our family friends has caused great sadness. Her drunken rages have resulted in criminal damage to our Uncle’s property, which has taken many months to repair and replace.

“She then breached her bail agreement and continued to persistently harass family members by phone, email, post and social media for several months. Anyone who lets this person into their lives, is at risk.”