Court to seal bawdy details
NEW affidavits in the legal stoush between an 81-year-old millionaire Gold Coast wrecker and an ex-Surfers Paradise Meter Maids manager have been deemed too sexy for the public domain, with a court ordering the documents be sealed to avoid details hitting the press.
Will “The Wrecker’’ Smith, who sold his Pacific Hwy car wrecking yard to the State Government for $9 million, is being sued by Michael Yarwood in the Supreme Court in Brisbane for $1.9 million in lost earnings, relating to the alleged termination of a contract as Mr Smith’s business adviser.
Mr Smith claims Mr Yarwood – who was jailed in 2011 for stamp duty fraud and struck off as a solicitor – used the money to fund travel, vehicles and a “sugar baby” mistress.
In a 54-page affidavit filed last week, Mr Yarwood alleged he hired women to balance Mr Smith’s “violent and sudden mood swings” after the elderly businessman “groped” a meter maid at a Gold Coast Wreckers Christmas lunch.
Further affidavit material was described yesterday in a brief Supreme Court hearing in Brisbane as being “salacious” and potentially inadmissible in court.
Lawyers for Mr Smith made a successful application to have the documents sealed, which was consented to by Mr Yarwood’s legal team.
“Both of you say I should (seal the material) because it’s either salacious or private material that should not have been sworn?” Justice James Douglas asked.
Lawyers agreed the information was in the private, not the public, interest and should be sealed and marked for the eyes only of parties involved.
Speaking exclusively to the Gold Coast Bulletin, Mr Yarwood said he missed sitting around the dinner table with his “mate” Will and believed the 81-year-old had been “led down the garden path” by others in relation to the contractual dispute.
Mr Yarwood, who said he had worked with Mr Smith for five years, said he was “surprised” by his actions.
“I am concerned for him and his enormous wealth,” he said. “We had a handshake agreement and a written contract. I just want my money.”