Action taken over ‘wife beater’ slur

GEORGE Homer, a man who gravitated from chip shop spud peeler to business mogul, took the rare step of launching an action for slander against Michelle Hollingsworth four years ago.

During a confrontation on Hatherton Estate, Hollingsworth told the shocked pensioner that he was a wife beater “and she knew that”.

The remark was heard by her husband, Joe. It was also heard by George’s 49-year-old son Martin, and an employee of the businessman. Significantly, the words were recorded on a mobile phone.

Last year at London’s High Court, Mr Homer gained an apology from the disgraced former head teacher. He also won compensation and a portion of his costs.

Mr Homer, pictured, whose second wife Patricia died in 1988, stressed money was never an issue in seeking legal redress.

“Something like that is nasty and needs to be addressed,” he said. “I don’t think I even shouted at my wife. I am very jealous of my reputation.

“I’m a man who doesn’t seek publicity – I don’t like that sort of thing. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Everyone told me not to take legal action but you have to do it because of the offence a remark like that causes, not just to me, but also to other people.”

Despite his wealth, Mr Homer remains every inch a working class man who’s grafted for what he’s got.

“I’m still up on the roofs on the factory estates,” he said, the shelf behind him littered with dusty champagne bottles.

“I have been here 35 years exactly,” he added, “and until they moved in, I’ve never had a problem with the neighbours.”

The Hollingsworths are relative newcomers to the Hatherton Estate, having moved there in 2004.

Despite a rudimentary education, former boxer George rose to the top of his profession against all odds. Close friends included Johnny Prescott, Birmingham’s pin-up 1960s boxing sensation.

He is immensely proud of his rise from poverty. “I was brought up in Park Road, by the Ansells Brewery, Aston,” he said. “Two back, 121 Park Road – that’s how you write it. We didn’t have electricity, we had gas. I was brought up by my nan and grandad. My dad was in a Prisoner of War camp and he never came back. I left school at the age of 14. I delivered papers and got a job peeling spuds in a chip shop. Then I got a job delivering coke.”

George began his first business in 1968 and has not looked back. Grade II-listed Hatherton Hall, built in 1632 and formerly the country seat of Baron Hatherton, is evidence, in bricks and mortar, of his financial acumen. The Black Country businessman shares the country pile with his son.

“I don’t argue with anybody,” he stressed. “I never raise my voice, but I was livid over what she said.”