Few local characters became as instantly recognisable as the ‘Wizard Man of Sutton’. For decades he was a familiar sight on Sutton High Street: dressed in flowing robes, wearing a skull cap, adorned with rings, and carrying a tall staff often topped with a dragon motif.
Whether encountered in and outside shops, walking steadily through town, or accompanied by his cat perched on his shoulders, he created a presence that residents variously found curious, theatrical, eccentric or quietly endearing.
The man behind the robes
Behind the persona was Conrad Azurahm Pugsley. He was born at Prestwick, in Ayrshire, Scotland and moved to London at the age of 4. In interviews he stated that he moved to Sutton in 1978 at the age of 30. On that basis, he would have been born around 1948, making him approximately 77 or 78 years old at the time of his death in early 2026. He once lived at the Durand Close estate in Hackbridge, now demolished.
Conrad cites his grandmother as Lady Margaret Strickland McChristie. According to certificates, Conrad married a woman called Anne in October 1980.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, he had fully embraced the wizard identity for which he became known. He sometimes referred to himself by the elaborate title of “The Divine Grace Conrad, Lord Azurahm of Draconia Anglorum, The Lord Primal Dragon Master for the British Isles, Ordo Draconis O.D. Viscount to the House of the Duchy of Effenhauer” or “The Divine Grace Conrad, Lord Azurahm of Draconia Anglorum” for short, reflecting a folklore-inspired framework through which he expressed his beliefs. Despite the dramatic presentation, those who spoke with him often described him as polite, articulate and serious about his outlook.
His magical philosophy
He framed his philosophy not as stage magic but as a form of spiritual discipline grounded in meditation and focused thought. In one local interview he summarised his position succinctly: “Magic is the strength of the mind and spirit working together.” It was a statement that captured how he understood his role — less performance, more personal conviction. He viewed positive thinking as ‘actual magic’.
Arrested for carrying an offensive weapon
Conrad was arrested in 2007 for carrying an offensive weapon, but was released without charge by Croydon Crown Court. He was allowed to carry a ceremonial knife as part of his religious regalia.
His famous black cat
An important part of his public image was his black cat, Zagan, frequently seen balanced calmly on his shoulders as he walked through town. Around 2010, a fire at his flat reportedly resulted in the loss of several animals, including Zagan, an event that had a profound effect on him.
Conrad Azurahm Pugsley was living at a care home in Banstead later in life, and died in early 2026. While many biographical details remain private, the Wizard Man’s long presence ensured he became part of Sutton’s modern folklore — a distinctive and memorable figure in the town’s social history.
Please leave your comments below. We reserve the right to update this post as new information comes to light. This is written to the best of our knowledge. Main image. Conrad in 2018. Source: Matt Ayling, Creative Commons
@secretcarshalton Long before Harry Potter, Britain had wizards. Rest in Peace Divine Grace Conrad. #wizard #harrypotter #mystical
♬ Harry Potter-style mysterious orchestral music(1605345) – nAKAmoo
Loved your piece above on Lord Conrad.
I knew him a little. I have written my own memorial.
https://quentinnewark.substack.com/p/lord-conrad
Lovely photos and write up
He was a lifelong member of the North Wales Magic Circle. Also a lifelong supporter of local football team, Sutton United. An unsubstantiated comment suggests he regarded himself as a ‘Warlock’ rather than wizard.