BRITAIN: The Hermit of Les Ecr

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Behind a cupboard in his home, police found the entrance to a windowless room containing books on black magic and witchcraft, a nail-studded raincoat, and an altar draped with black velvet. During his five-day trial, it came out that Paisnel believed that he was a descendant of Gilles de Rais, the original Bluebeard. De Rais was hanged in 1440 after admitting that he had murdered something like 200 children whom he had lured to his castle in France "for my daily pleasures."

Le Gastelois got the news by radio last week, but it was years too late. The old woodworker, 57, ragged and wild-eyed, would not leave his rock. "This is my home now!" he raged. "Jersey crucified me."