The glamping guru fighting to have his ex JAILED after bitter break-up
NOT so long ago, Ben Carden and Sandy Jones were happy campers.
The couple had three young children and a successful business as consultants helping landowners develop high- end campsites for luxury camping – a trend known as glamping.
But their six-year relationship broke down after Mr Carden, 38, claimed Miss Jones, 28, had an affair with a neighbour.
The matter has now ended up in a bitter High Court battle with Mr Carden demanding his ex is jailed for allegedly breaching a court order to hand over information needed to run the business.
while Miss Jones denies any infidelity, her barrister, Andrew Locke, claimed Mr Carden is using the case to wage a personal ‘vendetta’.
‘Wronged lover with desire for revenge’
He added: ‘ These proceedings are clearly brought by a vindictive wronged lover who is abusing the court to further his own desire for revenge. These proceedings are simply another front in the ongoing battle between Ben Carden and Sandy Jones as part of the fallout of the breakdown of their relationship.’
The acrimonious break-up also includes Mr Carden being accused of ‘stealing a dog’ from the £425,000 home that the couple once shared in welwyn, Hertfordshire.
Miss Jones denies being in contempt of court, Mr Locke added, and the case was being driven for ‘improper purposes’ – namely Mr Carden’s desire to move back into the family home where she and the children still live. ‘Part of our case will be that we have evidence from Mr Carden’s father that these proceedings are brought with malicious and ulterior intent in order to get... possession of the house,’ he said.
However, in court, Mr Carden said: ‘She could have complied [ with the court order] and this could have all gone away. She has built costs up for me and that is just another form of harassment.’
Judge Brian Rawlings heard that the couple set up woodlands Champions Club in February 2017. The business advises owners of small woodlands about how to create lucrative glamping sites.
But the personal and professional relationship collapsed after Mr Carden claimed his partner had cheated on him.
The bad blood between the pair saw Mr Carden – who is chairman of the club’s committee – representing the business in court and arguing that she should be jailed. He claimed Miss Jones was in contempt of court due to breaching a judge’s order to ‘relinquish all rights and interest’ in the club.
This included handing over paper and electronic files and deleting copies, as well as not using its website or social media and payment account.
But Mr Locke questioned whether other members of the non-profit organisation wanted the court case brought on their behalf. He told the judge: ‘These proceedings may result in a money judgment against them individually as a result of Ben Carden pursuing a personal vendetta against Sandy Jones. This application is characterised not only by improper recourse to the court in furtherance of a per sonal grievance but is fundamentally defective and should be struck out.’
He also insisted that Miss Jones had complied with the court order and that any breaches would be so small as to be irrelevant.
Adjourning the case last month, Judge Rawlings ordered Mr Carden to produce proof that the club’s committee had authorised him to pursue the matter. He also demanded documents setting out exactly what Miss Jones was alleged to have done that amounted to contempt. ‘It’s difficult for me to understand exactly what it is that’s being alleged and it’s critically important that the defendant knows exactly what is being alleged,’ he said.
The case was adjourned to a later date – unless a settlement is reached beforehand.