Monk admits telling lesbian witches: 'We used to burn people like you'

Court hears one of the women had heart palpitations while reading letter which described their sexuality as being 'part of the devil's madness'

Damon Jonah Kelly outside Leicester Magistrates Court
Damon Jonah Kelly outside Leicester Magistrates Court Credit: Photo: Caters

A monk has pleaded guilty to harassment after telling a pair of lesbian witches: "We used to burn people like you."

Damon Kelly, from a Catholic group called the Black Hermits, rowed with the women after posting a leaflet against homosexuality through their door.

Two weeks later, the 53-year-old posted a letter through their door describing their sexuality as being "part of the devil's madness".

Leicester Magistrates' Court heard one of the women had heart palpitations while reading the letter.

Nigel Chapman, prosecuting, said Kelly had claimed he was "doing God's work".

He added the initial confrontation had taken place on October 14 last year when Kelly was leafleting against lifestyles he regarded as 'sinful' in Clarendon Park, Leicester.

When a lesbian couple received one and stopped the monk further down the street to try to hand it back he told them: "Keep it, urinate on it, defecate on it."

When one of the women defended the couple's sexuality and pagan beliefs the court heard an "aggressive and fanatical" Kelly told the pair: "You know we used to burn people like you."

"His motive, his calling, is to target the sin and not the sinner."
- Kevin Sayce, defending

Kelly later returned to their home and posted a letter addressed "To the witches from the monk" which described "witches, gays, lesbians and sex-changers" as being part of the "devil's madness".

Mr Chapman told the hearing one of the women "felt she was being targeted by the defendant."

Kevin Sayce, defending, said Kelly had never aimed to confront the women.

Mr Sayce added: "He picks areas and delivers leaflets. It was one of the females that approached Damon Kelly and he defended his opinion as he's had to on numerous occasions.

"Following their disclosures of their practice as witches, Damon Kelly returned - not to seek out a confrontation but to post the letter that put forward his beliefs on pursuing such desires and such acts.

"His motive, his calling, is to target the sin and not the sinner."

The court heard Kelly, of St Patrick's Church in Corby, has taken vows of poverty and chastity.

District Judge Tim Daber adjourned the case for three weeks to assess whether Kelly was fit for unpaid work.

He was released on bail with the condition not to deliver any more leaflets.