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UK tourist Sam Oliver wins Australian defamation case | UK tourist Sam Oliver wins Australian defamation case |
(32 minutes later) | |
A British tourist who was acquitted of assaulting Australia's former Rugby Sevens captain James Stannard has won a defamation case against a TV network. | A British tourist who was acquitted of assaulting Australia's former Rugby Sevens captain James Stannard has won a defamation case against a TV network. |
Sam Oliver, from Newcastle, said Australia's Nine Network had wrongly depicted him as being guilty of a "cowardly" criminal act in Sydney. | Sam Oliver, from Newcastle, said Australia's Nine Network had wrongly depicted him as being guilty of a "cowardly" criminal act in Sydney. |
He was found not guilty last year. | He was found not guilty last year. |
On Friday, a judge rejected Nine's argument that its news report of the verdict was fair - ordering it to pay Mr Oliver A$100,000 (£54,000; $70,000). | On Friday, a judge rejected Nine's argument that its news report of the verdict was fair - ordering it to pay Mr Oliver A$100,000 (£54,000; $70,000). |
The news report had described the incident as "a coward punch that ended the career" of Mr Stannard. It was introduced with the words "no penalty". | The news report had described the incident as "a coward punch that ended the career" of Mr Stannard. It was introduced with the words "no penalty". |
Nine argued in court that it was a fair report and an expression of opinion relating to a matter of public interest. | Nine argued in court that it was a fair report and an expression of opinion relating to a matter of public interest. |
However, Judge Michael Lee ruled that it had wrongly portrayed Mr Oliver as a coward who had punched a defenceless man and ruined his career. | However, Judge Michael Lee ruled that it had wrongly portrayed Mr Oliver as a coward who had punched a defenceless man and ruined his career. |
Nine, one of Australia's biggest networks, said it was "disappointed" and would consider an appeal. | Nine, one of Australia's biggest networks, said it was "disappointed" and would consider an appeal. |
'Name dragged through mud' | 'Name dragged through mud' |
Mr Oliver told the BBC last year that local media had portrayed him as a thug following the unprovoked fight. | Mr Oliver told the BBC last year that local media had portrayed him as a thug following the unprovoked fight. |
He said Mr Stannard threw the first punch, giving him a black eye, and he had instinctively hit back. | He said Mr Stannard threw the first punch, giving him a black eye, and he had instinctively hit back. |
"It was tough to deal with, seeing my name get dragged through the mud," he said. | "It was tough to deal with, seeing my name get dragged through the mud," he said. |
His lawyers had sought over A$250,000 in damages, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. | His lawyers had sought over A$250,000 in damages, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. |
Judge Lee said the use of the term "coward punch" had conveyed a particular meaning that the puncher was "not only committing a violent act but also, distinctly, is contemptibly lacking the courage to act in a proper or fair way". | |
Mr Stannard was treated for a fractured skull after the incident and retired from rugby last June. | Mr Stannard was treated for a fractured skull after the incident and retired from rugby last June. |
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