A 15-year-old facing prosecution for holding up a placard which branded Scientology a "cult" has appealed for help to fight possible charges.

The unnamed teenager was served the summons by City of London police after taking part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the Church's London headquarters, on May 10.

Demonstrators from the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous were outside the church's £23m headquarters near St Paul's cathedral when the boy was "strongly advised" by police to get rid of the sign which said: "Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult".

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A policewoman later read him section five of the Public Order Act and "strongly advised" him to remove the sign.

The section prohibits signs which have representations or words which are threatening, abusive or insulting.

But the teenager refused, and a file is now being passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for possible legal action.

Writing on an anti-Scientology website, the teenager says: "I need precedents, legal advice, definitions and defences.

"I intend to make a big folder with all the defence you can give me, and in case this does get through to court, I will be well prepared.

"Also, what's the likelihood I'll need a lawyer? If I do have to get one, it'll have to come out of my pocket money."

Ian Haworth from the Cult Information Centre said he would avoid labelling any organisation a "cult", but said bringing the issue into criminal rather than civil law would be "very serious".

He added: "If it wasn't so serious it would be farcical.

Full article here.