THE stage hypnotist who allegedly caused a mother of seven to 'age regress' and relive the trauma of childhood sex abuse, could not have 'reasonably forseen' the consequences, London's High Court was told today.

On the fourth day of the trial, Mr Justice Leveson heard arguments that hypnotist Philip Green could not be held responsible for triggering the memories which sent Lynn Howarth spiralling into depression.

The 40-year-old, of Inverberg Drive, Breightmet, Bolton, claims she suffered "18 months of sheer hell" after she was taken back to the age of eight -- a period when she was molested by her great uncle 'Billy' -- as part of a stage hypnosis act.

Lawyers for Mrs Howarth say that Philip Green, 49 -- known as Phil Damon on stage -- of St Hubert's Road, Great Harwood, was neglient on the night of February 26 1994, which led to her depression and two failed suicide attempts.

He denies all liability in the case.

Lawrence West, counsel for Mr Green, told the court today: "To say that this man failed to act with reasonable care is tantamount to saying it was negligent to carry out this kind of performance at all against a background that it was commonplace."

In his closing submissions, Mr West argued that the act was just like countless others all over the country performed for the sake of entertainment in a "silly, ludicrous fashion."

He said that no stage hypnotist would knowingly start a chain of events which would cause subjects to relive in their childhood "events which will cause them not just a degree of distress but will endanger them mentally."

He added: "Nothing is going to stop someone who is minded to engage in that kind of reconstruction."

Mr Martin Taylor, a stage magician, earlier told the court that, since a Home Office circular in 1996, he and others were less likely to include hypnosis in their acts to "cover their backs."

Mr Taylor, a member of the Magic Circle, said that the words chosen by Mr Green during his act were "within the bounds of what a hypnotist would do."

The show was organised as a fundraising event by Mrs Howarth at the Wyresdale Amateur Football and Social Club.

Submissions in the case are due to end today and Mr Justice Leveson is expected to reserve judgement, to be given at a later date.