The Times, London, 14 February 1953

Charges under Obscene Publications Act

Summonses to be heard in April

ERIC ARTHUR WILDMAN, aged 31, of City Road, E.C., and of Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, E., was summoned at Old Street Court yesterday in connexion with alleged obscene publications.

Two of the summonses — one relating to the City Road address and the other to the Blackhorse Lane address — stated that on January 8, by virtue of the Obscene Publications Act, 1857, complaint was made before the magistrate (Mr. Leslie Marks), who gave authority to police officers to search for and seize all such obscene books, papers, writings, prints, pictures, drawings, and other obscene representations referred to in the complaint.

A further summons alleged that Wildman published an obscene writing entitled “Girls’ Specialist,” supplement to the International Retentionist Gazette, and that he had committed 14 similar offences between November 12, 1952, and February 7 this year.

Wildman, who was represented by Mr. W. Pleace, did not appear. Mr. Pleace said that details of the alleged offences had been received just before noon on Thursday. In view of the short notice he (Mr. Pleace) had spoken to the department of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which had agreed that in the circumstances the only course was to ask for an adjournment.

The magistrate fixed the hearing for April 9.