Property mogul sues former tenant over sex allegations

‘It is not dissimilar to what happened to Cliff Richard’ court told

Property mogul Fergus Wilson is suing a mum who claimed he made advances towards her while carrying out work at her home.

The f ormer teacher was arrested in May 2014 after an allegation he assaulted mum-offour Carley Ingram at the house she rented in Stagshaw Close, Maidstone.

An eviction order for the 36-year-old was successful, but she had already left the property by that time.

After Miss Ingram made further allegations he had demanded sexual favours from other tenants, police spoke to seven other women living in the street, who also went on to lose their homes, Maidstone County Court heard.

Giving evidence, Mr Wilson said he and his wife Judith – who own hundreds of homes in Ashford and across Kent – made the decision to avoid being plagued by “Chinese whispers,” even though the women had told officers they had never met him.

No charges were brought against the 67-year-old, from Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea, who is now seeking to claim up to £10,000 from Miss Ingram for harassment, saying the allegations were made maliciously.

Giving evidence, he said: “Miss Ingram had it in her mind clearly that if her landlord sexually assaulted her that meant she would get a permanent tenancy. Fergus Wilson said allegations were made maliciously

“I have brought these proceedings because what has happened to me is not too dissimilar from what happened to Cliff Richard or Lord Bramall.”

But Miss Ingram, who waived her right to anonymity, suggested to the court Mr Wilson knew she was in rent arrears and tried to take advantage of that, something he denied.

Mr Wilson explained on the day the alleged assault took place, he had arranged to visit the property to measure a window damaged during a previous tenant’s tenure more than a year earlier.

But during cross-examination, Miss Ingram questioned why he had requested she was at home at the time, when the lettings agent had previously used spare keys to access the house and when the work could have easily been done from outside.

Mr Wilson claims he left after having a cup of tea because a sofa was blocking the window.

He was taken into police custody before being released on bail, which he was subject to for four months while the investigation took place.

Mr Wilson’s civil proceedings were adjourned but no date has yet been set for the resumed hearing.

‘Seeking to claim £10,000 for harassment’

Carley Ingram waived her right to anonymity