Let us not forget:
Exhibit A:
Chris Gayle wins 'emotional' defamation suit, while Fairfax says it 'did not get a fair trial'
By
Nadia Daly and court reporter
Karl Hoerr
Updated 31 Oct 2017, 11:26am
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West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has won his defamation case against Fairfax Media, which published articles claiming he exposed himself to a female masseuse two years ago.
Key points:
- West Indies Chris Gayle travelled from his home in Jamaica for the trial
- Outside court Fairfax's lawyer said the company may need to pay "a lot of money"
- Gayle described the verdict as better than scoring a ton
Gayle and his supporters congratulated each other in court as the jury of four announced their unanimous verdict after deliberating for two hours at Sydney's King Street court complex.
The star all-rounder sued the company after it published a series of articles claiming he had exposed himself to a woman working "around" the West Indies team in Sydney in 2015.
The woman, team masseuse Leanne Russell, stood by the allegations in her evidence to the court but Gayle insisted it never happened.
It is unclear how much money the cricketer will seek in compensation.
PHOTO: Leanne Russell alleged Chris Gayle lowered his towel and exposed himself in the changerooms in 2015. (AAP: David Moir)
It will cost Fairfax 'a lot of money'
Outside court, Fairfax Media's lawyer Peter Bartlett said he was "shocked and disappointed" at the decision.
"It will cost the company a lot of money unless we can reverse it on appeal," he said.
In a statement, a Fairfax Media spokesperson said the company was "seriously considering its appeal rights" after a failed bid to get the jury discharged on Friday.
"Fairfax Media is concerned with the conduct of the trial," the spokesperson said.
"Fairfax believes that it did not get a fair trial."
During the hearing,
Ms Russell told the court that Gayle lowered his towel, partially exposing himself, in the changerooms at Sydney's Drummoyne Oval during a training session in February 2015.
She said she was "very upset" and cried uncontrollably after leaving the room.
Ms Russell said she contacted The Age newspaper last year because she was angered by a live TV interview
in which Gayle told a reporter: "Don't blush baby".
PHOTO: Chris Gayle has captivated Australian crowds with a swashbuckling playing style. (AAP: Julian Smith)
Trial took its toll: Gayle
Outside court, Gayle, who flew from Jamaica to defend himself, said the trial had taken a toll on him.
"It was very emotional to be criticised in such a manner," he said.
"This was the first time I had been in a court as well. I'm glad the public actually get a chance to read into things and they can hear what actually transpired."
When asked if the decision was better than scoring a century, Gayle replied: "Yes, definitely."
PHOTO: West Indies' all-rounder Chris Gayle was all smiles outside court. (AAP: Brendan Esposito)
"I'm not really worried about the money to be honest with you. It was more about the character and the damage it has put towards my name," he said.
During the hearing, Gayle and his teammate Dwayne Smith, who was also in the change room, deny the incident took place but Fairfax has stood by the story.
Gayle's lawyer said in court that
one of the journalists behind the story wanted to "destroy" the cricketer.
Topics: media,
print-media,
law-crime-and-justice,
cricket,
sexual-offences,
sydney-2000
First posted
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