A man kept making false accusations against another man. A court order stopped him. The court heard his arguments again and decided to keep the order because his accusations were untrue and caused harassment.
Key Facts
- •Claimant (Pattinson) sought an interim injunction against the Defendant (Winsor) for harassment.
- •The injunction prevented Winsor from making false allegations of fraud or other criminal offences against Pattinson.
- •Winsor had made numerous allegations related to his bankruptcy proceedings and the estate of his late partner.
- •Winsor's submissions were described as 'long, unfocused and repetitive'.
- •Winsor's allegations primarily focused on others, tangentially involving the claimant.
- •Winsor's core allegations involved a forged dismissal application, unpaid capital gains tax, and misappropriation of 'surplus bankruptcy'.
Legal Principles
Harassment
Protection from Harassment Act 1997, s.1(3)(a)
Freedom of Expression
Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights
Interim Injunctions
High Court Practice
Outcomes
Interim injunction continued.
The court found Winsor's allegations to be false and without evidence. The claimant was likely to succeed at trial in showing harassment. The balance of convenience favoured continuing the injunction.