Businessman admits harassing top lawyer
ABUSINESSMAN has admitted harassing a top Birmingham divorce lawyer – after alleging she had made up claims of being stalked.
Colin Thomas, 74, disclosed details of the alleged stalking of Diane Benussi to the management board of a company running Liberty Place property complex in Sheepcote Street.
Birmingham magistrates heard that the businessman was a member of the management board and Ms Benussi was the chairperson. They both owned properties at Liberty Place and had fallen out over a money wrangle.
The court was told Thomas heard about allegations that Ms Benussi had been the victim of a stalking campaign and later sent emails to other property board members giving details of the allegations – claiming she had made them up.
“The complainant said in a statement she felt the defendant was intending to expose her private life,” said Shawn Williams, prosecuting.
Details sent by Thomas of the alleged campaign included threats against Ms Benussi and her daughter and the sending of items including a used contraceptive.
“This was a private investigation being carried out by the police,” he said.
“That information had been circulated.
“She felt sick that people had been told about her private situation as well as deeply embarrassed and humiliated.”
Mr liams that, when Wilsaid even told not to have any further contact with Ms Benussi, Thomas continued to send similar emails which treated the allegations in a “dismissive manner”. He said ultimately no further action was taken against the alleged stalker. When quizzed by police, Thomas said he was aware he was being offensive when sending the emails but wanted to “get a response”. Simon Bailey, defending, said Ms Benussi’s running of the management company had caused concern which prompted Thomas to send the emails. “Fee lings were running quite high within the board. He was not getting the response he wanted to basic questions. That brought forth further frustration,” he said.
Thomas, of Boultbee Road, Wylde Green, admitted a charge of harassment.
He was given a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £200 compensation and £1,000 costs.
He was also banned indefinitely from contacting the victim, other than through solicitors.
In passing sentence, District Judge Joanne Dickens said: “This is a really serious incident and went on for a period of time.
“Even if all the things you were saying were true, this is not the way for a person who has the means and ability to seek legal advice to go about it.
“All you had to do was get legal advice. To make slurs in this fashion is wholly unacceptable.
“For all these reasons it is a bad case of harassment.”
But she said she had taken into account his previous good character and the loss of his reputation.