‘Real Martha’ in talks with Giggs top legal team
Netflix and comedian in ‘big trouble’ if jail claim is disproved
THE “real-life” Martha from Baby Reindeer is in talks with a top barrister to sue over the Netflix show, as more details of her previous “stalking” emerge.
Chris Daw KC, who has acted for football star Ryan Giggs, told the Mirror the streaming giant could have a “big legal problem” if it is found the woman, who we are not naming, has never been to prison.
The hit show is a dramatised version of the life of comedian Richard Gadd, 34, who is pursued by an obsessed stalker, Martha Scott, played by Jessica Gunning.
Mr Daw said: “Netflix has sold Baby Reindeer as a ‘true story’... ‘Martha’ was portrayed as a convicted stalker, who was sent to prison for serious crimes.
“She states that she has never been convicted of any crime and has never been to prison.
“If that turns out to be true, Netflix and Richard Gadd will have a very big legal problem.”
The Mirror revealed on Saturday how lawyer Laura Wray, widow of ex-Labour MP Jimmy Wray, got an injunction against the woman in 2002 for allegedly harassing her.
RUDENESS
We can now reveal the writ, which was filed in Glasgow Sheriff Court, claims the woman was sacked from her job in her law firm because of “rudeness, mood swings, difficult behaviour”. The documents claim the woman said in a telephone call: “Laura is a lazy rat and sits on her backside doing nothing… I am going to take strong action.” The woman also threatened to write a book and called Ms Wray a “peroxide blond tart”, it is alleged. The interim order was granted by the court in April 2002, and the woman in question was given 21 days to lodge a Notice of Intention to Defend. But Ms Wray says this was never done and the alleged stalking stopped. The woman in question previously denied to the Mirror there was an interim order as the paperwork was “messed up”.
Mr Daw defended former Manchester United and Wales winger Giggs when he was cleared last July over claims he assaulted his ex-girlfriend and her sister.