Friday the 13th was a lucky day for triumphant witch Olivia Watts.
Yesterday’s inauspicious date saw the end of a year-long legal hassle between the transgender witch and City of Casey Mayor Rob Wilson.
The saga ended when Cr Wilson publicly apologised for comments made about the former police officer in a 2003 press release.
Cr Wilson formally apologised “for any hurt felt by Ms Watts as a consequence of his press release”. Cr Wilson confirmed that no money changed hands as part of the settlement.
Ms Watts said later the apology was the best outcome she could wish for.
“It’s absolutely wonderful,” she said.
“I can start to live a normal life again.”
Ms Watts launched her action for religious vilification against Cr Wilson after he sent a press release entitled Satanic Cult Out To Take Over Casey to Cranbourne newspapers.
Cr Wilson’s 2003 press release said Ms Watts’ declaration she was a witch was a matter of concern for all Casey residents and he warned of a satanic cult attempting to attack or take over the council.
In yesterday’s statement Cr Wilson said Ms Watts had assured him she was not a satanist and he did not condone violence against anyone on religious grounds or otherwise.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal began hearing the case on Thursday, but the hearing ended yesterday with the settlement.
Cr Wilson told the Herald Sun last night the settlement had been a victory for common sense.
Cr Wilson said he was unsure how much his legal costs were but said they had been covered by Casey Council’s insurers.
Casey Council chief executive Mike Tyler said the council had incurred its own legal costs of about $50,000 after it was joined as a respondent in Ms Watts’ case against Cr Wilson.
Ms Watts later dropped her case against the council.