Update: Scottish officials have recently refused to pardon Helen Duncan, implying that to do so would be a waste of time.

Some fifty years after her death, the family and devotees of disgraced and convicted spirit medium Helen Duncan are seeking a posthumous pardon. [official site] Duncan has the dubious distinction of being the last person to be convicted under England's eighteenth-century Witchcraft Act- and all because one of her revelations was true.

Helen was a Scottish matron, a sole provider with six children, and a devout Spiritualist. Helen worked a factory job by day and conducted seances in her spare time. She proved a popular and talented Spirit Medium, and her services became much sought after, especially during the War, when she was in great demand by the families of lost soldiers.

Eventually, however, Helen's "sittings" drew the attention of the authorities, who, ironically, were convinced that her act was make-believe designed to fleece desperate families. They began to attend Helen's meeting's in secret, in hopes of catching her in some dishonest act. Unfortunately, while under watch, Helen brought to appearance a deceased sailor, of the ship HMS Barham, the loss of which had been deliberately concealed by the British government. (and would not be revealed to have been sunk until many months later.) Duncan's accurate description of the sinking of the Barham and the names of its sailors did nothing to increase her standing to those who believed her fraudulent- when they moved to arrest her, she was charged with Conspiracy- spying. This charge would mean death by hanging upon conviction.

Fortunately for Helen and her followers, the Crown could not make the espionage charges stick- but they were not content with letting the matter drop (most ironically because they feared she might reveal D-Day plans). Helen was instead charged under the Witchcraft Act, and a trial proceeded. Numerous prominent citizens testified in her behalf, and even Churchill* railed about the ridiculousness of the charges, but she was convicted nonetheless. Helen was denied the opportunity to demonstrate her abilities in court, and despite her public support and high profile witnesses, she was convicted, jailed for nine months, and ordered never to perform another seance.

*Churchill went on the personally see the overturning of the Witchcraft Act in 1951, just three years before Helen's death.