A hippy has been barred from approaching her mother in a dispute over a £3million manor house, caused by her use of a ‘spiritual guru’.
Genevieve ‘Hayla’ Oriel fell out with her mother Hilda Maunsell, 93, after their 17th-century family home was sold for a fortune and the proceeds divided between the four children.
But yoga teacher Ms Oriel’s share of the £3.325million sale was given not directly to her, but put into a family trust – because the family had been worried by how much she had previously spent on her spiritual guru, Tony Samara.
Long-haired Mr Samara, 60, bills himself as ‘a mystic and spiritual teacher’ who ‘offers profound teachings that resonate with the essence of love, wisdom and divine union’.
Alongside online courses in meditation, he has lectured followers on a 40-day fast in Costa Rica, where Ms Oriel, 57, said his teaching was ‘amazing’.
But due to Ms Oriel’s financial devotion to Mr Samara’s teachings, she ended up being frozen out of her share of the family wealth amassed during her grandfather’s career in the City.
And her frustration led to a court hearing in Salisbury in Wiltshire, 13 miles from the Fittleton manor house at the centre of the family dispute, in June.
Prosecutor Ryan Seneviratne told magistrates: ‘The charge that the Miss Oriel faces is harassment without violence between February 2020 and March 2021.
A hippy has been barred from approaching her mother in a dispute over a £3million manor house (pictured), caused by her use of a ‘spiritual guru’
Genevieve ‘Hayla’ Oriel (pictured) fell out with her mother Hilda Maunsell, 93, after their 17th-century family home was sold for a fortune and the proceeds divided between the four children
But yoga teacher Ms Oriel’s share of the £3.325million sale (pictured, the property) was given not directly to her, but put into a family trust – because the family had been worried by how much she had previously spent on her spiritual guru, Tony Samara
‘The complainant is her mother, Hilda Maunsell.’
Mr Seneviratne said the harassment included ‘turning up at her house, repeatedly banging on windows, banging on doors, meaning that Ms Maunsell has to flee to neighbours’.
Ms Oriel also made ‘personal visits’, ‘telephone calls’, ‘various emails’ and ‘visits to places where she knew her mother was to be’.
The prosecutor went on: ‘In return for us offering no evidence on the charge, such that the criminal charge disappears, the defendant agrees to be subject to a restraining order.’
Ms Oriel admitted her communication was ‘persistent, intentional and caused frustration’, said the prosecutor.
Of Ms Maunsell, he said: ‘She indicated, “I’m 93 years of age, I hope to live longer than that, and it means I’m protected from having her turn up at my property”.’
The prosecutor clarified Ms Maunsell was simply asking for Ms Oriel not to appear at her home.
Mr Seneviratne said: ‘She doesn’t want to be divorced forever from Ms Oriel, she hopes they can speak on the telephone, by email, and that hopefully they will be able to meet in person again one day soon.’
Prosecutor Ryan Seneviratne said Ms Oriel had harassed Ms Maunsell (pictured outside court during the case), by ‘turning up at her house, repeatedly banging on windows, banging on doors, meaning that Ms Maunsell has to flee to neighbours’
Ms Oriel’s guru, long-haired Mr Samara (pictured, in a Facebook post by Ms Oriel about his lecture on a 40-day fast in Costa Rica), 60, bills himself as ‘a mystic and spiritual teacher’
He describes himself as offering ‘profound teachings that resonate with the essence of love, wisdom and divine union’. Pictured: The caption of a Facebook post from Ms Oriel about his lecture on a 40-day fast in Costa Rica
Jag Phull, defending, said Ms Oriel has anxiety, depression and vertigo.
Mr Phull continued: ‘The offence of harassment is not there to criminalise mis-steps in family relationships, or where boundaries have been overstepped by a daughter to her mother.’
Mr Phull added Ms Oriel ‘desperately’ wanted to rebuild her relationship with her mother.
Magistrate chair Annie Mihell dismissed the criminal charges against Ms Oriel before saying: ‘We are making a restraining order for the purpose of protecting Hilda Maunsell for a period of five years.
‘During this period Ms Oriel must not go to her mother’s address.’
Ms Oriel – who has adopted the first name Hayla – appeared via video link from her home in west London, wearing a green pendant on a yellow string around her neck.
A relative who asked not to be named said: ‘The family is concerned about large sums going to Hayla, who is a lovely person, because she has spent a lot of money on her guru, Tony Samara.
‘He claims to be “an enlightened person” – and tells Hayla and other followers they can become “enlightened” too, by fasting.
Ms Oriel’s frustration led to a court hearing in Salisbury in Wiltshire, 13 miles from the Fittleton manor house (pictured, with its tennis court and sprawling land) at the centre of the family dispute
‘Hayla would admit he is “part of her everyday life”, and that she listens to what he says.
‘We believe it is in Hayla’s own interests that the family money has gone into a trust. Her mother hopes they can be reconciled.’
Last night, Mr Samara said: ‘Over more than two decades, Hayla’s payments to me were under £1,750, with much of her attendance free of charge.
‘My meditation and self-growth retreats are transparent, safe, and focused on wellbeing.
‘Any cleansing element is optional, carefully supervised and never a 40-day fast.
‘Programme fees are published openly in advance on my website, set at fair levels and in line with – or below – comparable international retreats.
‘The purpose of my work is to help people connect more deeply with themselves, grow in wisdom, and live with greater wellbeing and understanding.
‘Participants consistently report that these experiences have been transformative.’
Ms Oriel did not respond to requests for comment.