Property mogul Fergus Wilson suing former tenant Carley Ingram
Published: 00:01, 22 July 2017
A mum being sued by property mogul Fergus Wilson has been left shocked after more delays caused by the judge’s notes being lost.
The 68-year-old brought Carley Ingram to court, following allegations she made against him in May 2014.
The mum-of-four, 37, told police the landlord had made advances towards her at the house she rented in Stagshaw Close, Maidstone, and later he had demanded sexual favours from other tenants.
Mr Wilson, of Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea, was arrested and put on bail for four months, but was later released without charge due to a lack of corroborating evidence.
He now seeks to claim up to £10,000, from Miss Ingram for harassment, saying the claims were made maliciously.
The case came before Maidstone County Court in July 2016, but was adjourned halfway through the evidence.
Last month the parties received a letter from Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service, stating the district judge’s notes could not be traced.
It continued: “Unless an agreed note of the hearing can be produced the judge believes it will inevitably mean that the claim will have to start anew on August 16, 2017.
“Continuing efforts will be made to locate the notes.”
A government website states the average time for a hearing of this type to be resolved is less than eight months. When the case resumes in August it will have been more than 18.
Miss Ingram, who has waived her right to anonymity, says there have been several issues regarding missing paperwork, and occasions where she has not received court orders, leading to further delays.
She said: “When I received the letter I was in disbelief.
“I must have read it more than 10 times before the information sank in.
“Because I have no representation I will have to do the cross examination myself again.
“This act alone last time caused so much stress, panic attacks and anxiety it has all made me so ill.
“I really don’t know how I am supposed to cope with this for much longer. I just need it to be over.”
Mr Wilson declined to comment.
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Claire McWethy