Stripper who ‘couldn’t lift child’ shown dancing
A MALE stripper who claimed he couldn’t lift his children after being injured in a car crash has lost a damages claim for up to €40,000 after a court was shown footage of him performing on stage.
Nauris Zeps (32), with the stage name ‘Blade’, claimed he had suffered back pain since a collision on July 20, 2014, at a roundabout.
But solicitors acting for Liberty Insurance unearthed Facebook footage of Mr Zeps, a student originally from Latvia, showing him cavorting around a stage taking his clothes off.
The Circuit Civil Court also heard Mr Zeps, with an address at Phibblestown House, Clonsilla, Dublin, featured in a calendar as Mr September. Videos and photos, submitted by lawyer for Liberty Insurance David Culleton, were shown of the father-of-two stripping as part of the Chain Gang group.
Judge Mary O’Malley Costello said: “Mr Zeps told the court in broad terms he has a moderate soft tissue injury and with substantial recovery he has ongoing injuries three years after the accident, such as preventing him lifting a small child. In evidence it became clear he conducted his business of being a dancer and did it monthly, if not more.”
Mr Zeps had claimed on the day of the crash he had been driving on the Naul Road, near Dublin Airport, when a car drove into him.
But he claimed several versions of the incident – which Judge O’Malley said showed dishonesty and struck the case out.
A spokesman for Liberty Insurance said: “It’s positive to see judgments being made in instances where there are questionable circumstances.”