Solicitor sues ex for damage
A GOLD Coast solicitor is suing his former de facto partner for a half-million dollars, claiming she defamed him by saying he was having sex with a female client.
Solicitor Jeff Horsey alleges his ex-partner, Sandra Blake, told Shane Flower that Mr Flower’s ex-wife, Catherine Flower, was having a sexual relationship with Mr Horsey.
Mr Horsey’s District Court claim says it was defamatory because it was understood to mean that he had “sexual relations” with Ms Flower while she was a client of his firm.
The well-known Gold Coast solicitor is the principal of Upper Coomera law firm Jeff Horsey Solicitor.
Mr Horsey alleges that what Ms Blake allegedly told Mr Flower, in the days leading up to July 16, defamed both him and his legal business.
He is seeking $350,000 in general compensation damages, to reflect the seriousness of the imputations, the extent of the publication and the harm, loss and damage caused.
Mr Horsey and his business also are seeking an extra $150,000 in aggravated damages for additional hurt Ms Blake allegedly caused.
The claim says Ms Blake knew that what she told Mr Flower was untrue, but she refused to retract it, apologise or take steps to repair the damage to Mr Horsey and his legal firm.
Mr Horsey and the law firm also want a judge to order an injunction to restrain Ms Blake from further publishing the same or similar alleged defamatory words. He claims the words Ms Blake used caused him distress, hurt and embarrassment and he wants compensation to vindicate his and his business’s reputation.
The grave and highly damaging nature of the false statement was particularly distressing, the claim says.
Ms Blake’s LinkedIn profile says she is office manager of Jeff Horsey Solicitor. It is understood she is no longer with the firm.
Mr Horsey declined to comment on his claim, filed in Southport District Court on July 29, on legal advice.
Ms Blake also declined to comment.
Mr Horsey is a high-profile member of the Gold Coast legal fraternity and in 2016 won a charity fight against Southport criminal lawyer Campbell MacCallum.
The bout was held in Toowoomba to raise money and awareness for the region’s push for a desperately needed permanent neurosurgeon.