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Libel case over Rooney thrown out Libel case over Rooney thrown out
(about 2 hours later)
A grandmother suing the Sun over claims she had sex with footballer Wayne Rooney while working as a prostitute has had her case thrown out of court.A grandmother suing the Sun over claims she had sex with footballer Wayne Rooney while working as a prostitute has had her case thrown out of court.
Patricia Tierney, 52, from Whiston, claimed libel damages saying an article from 2004 featured "horrible lies" that destroyed her reputation and life.Patricia Tierney, 52, from Whiston, claimed libel damages saying an article from 2004 featured "horrible lies" that destroyed her reputation and life.
But at Manchester County Court it emerged that she had admitted being a sex worker in a police statement.But at Manchester County Court it emerged that she had admitted being a sex worker in a police statement.
The Sun's counsel showed the court the witness statement made in May 2002.The Sun's counsel showed the court the witness statement made in May 2002.
Mrs Tierney claimed she had only ever worked as a receptionist at Diva's massage parlour in Liverpool.Mrs Tierney claimed she had only ever worked as a receptionist at Diva's massage parlour in Liverpool.
Sex workerSex worker
However, in the police statement she said she worked as a sex worker because she needed the money, but kept her job a secret from her family.However, in the police statement she said she worked as a sex worker because she needed the money, but kept her job a secret from her family.
She told officers she had a "dual role" as a receptionist with housekeeping duties.She told officers she had a "dual role" as a receptionist with housekeeping duties.
Adding: "On other days I would act as a sex worker. My role would be to provide sex services to clients."Adding: "On other days I would act as a sex worker. My role would be to provide sex services to clients."
Her solicitors withdrew from the case on Friday after the police statement came to light.Her solicitors withdrew from the case on Friday after the police statement came to light.
Mrs Tierney represented herself at Manchester County Court on Monday and asked the judge, Mr Justice Christopher Clarke, to adjourn the hearing while she sought alternative legal representation.Mrs Tierney represented herself at Manchester County Court on Monday and asked the judge, Mr Justice Christopher Clarke, to adjourn the hearing while she sought alternative legal representation.
'Central plank''Central plank'
Instead Mr Justice Clarke dismissed the case.Instead Mr Justice Clarke dismissed the case.
In his ruling he said: "In light of that statement, it's plain that the central plank of the claimant's case that she was not, and never had been, a prostitute and worked only as a receptionist is not true, and that the claim that she was not a liar was false and was known to be so."In his ruling he said: "In light of that statement, it's plain that the central plank of the claimant's case that she was not, and never had been, a prostitute and worked only as a receptionist is not true, and that the claim that she was not a liar was false and was known to be so."
Mrs Tierney told the court she could not read, the police statement misrepresented what she had told the officer and that she did not know what she was signing.Mrs Tierney told the court she could not read, the police statement misrepresented what she had told the officer and that she did not know what she was signing.
However, the judge said he was "satisfied" the statement reflected what Mrs Tierney had told police.However, the judge said he was "satisfied" the statement reflected what Mrs Tierney had told police.
The Sun's barrister, Anthony Hudson, said Mrs Tierney's claim amounted to between £750,000 and £250,000 damages for her and £500,000 legal fees, which the Sun would have had to pay if she won her case.The Sun's barrister, Anthony Hudson, said Mrs Tierney's claim amounted to between £750,000 and £250,000 damages for her and £500,000 legal fees, which the Sun would have had to pay if she won her case.
Before the case, Wayne Rooney had been told he might be called as a witness. Before the case, Manchester United and England star Rooney had been told he might be called as a witness.